Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Yann M'Vila and Alexandre Pato Rumours

It's been revealed Arsenal came close to signing Yann M'Vila before his move to Sunderland, and the agent of Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato is back in the headlines after shopping his client's talents around.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke to the club's official website prior to Saturday's 3-1 defeat of the Black Cats, proclaiming his side were close to a deal for M'Vila while he was still at Rennes (h/t Metro's Will Giles):

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He was a very young, promising midfielder and we were interested in him. But the year we wanted to bring him in, they did not want to sell him. He had a few off-the-field problems but it looks like now he’s stabilised and he’s of course a very good player who is a regular player in the national team in France.

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M'Vila left the Ligue 1 outfit for Rubin Kazan in 2013 before moving to the Stadium of Light this past summer on a season-long loan deal.

The 25-year-old struggled for consistency during his time in Russia and also after moving to Inter on loan last term, but FourFourTwo's Kristan Heneage recently suggested he's now finding his groove:

Arsenal could certainly do with a holding midfielder of his profile following the injury suffered by Francis Coquelin and with no recognised replacement to fill his boots.

Santi Cazorla recently joined Coquelin, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky on the treatment table, and Wenger is now desperate to keep Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini fit as a first-choice midfield tandem.

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The Gunners may lust after the depth they might have boasted had Rennes chosen to sell, but there could be a chance M'Vila appears back on the north Londoners' radar following his loan in the north east.

Pato is currently on loan at Sao Paulo, but he has been heavily linked with a winter move back to Europe almost three years after leaving Milan. Speaking to Calciomercato, his agent Riccardo Napolitano proclaimed Serie A clubs are particularly interested (h/t Metro's Tom Olver):

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Alexandre is back and determined to establish himself as one of the best strikers in the world. We’re evaluating several options for him, he’s a striker admired by many, and he’s completely overcome the muscular problems he suffered in the past few years.

In Italy there are at least two or three teams among the possible destinations, but of course we can’t say any more. The only thing that is certain is that Pato will be the undoubted star of the winter transfer market.

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According to the report, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already been in contact with Corinthians director of football Edu Gaspar to negotiate a deal, with his side in need of attacking options in January.

Theo Walcott made his return to the Gunners side as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 3-1 win over Sunderland following just over a month out with injury, but Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck remain sidelined.

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Wenger drew the ire of some supporters for failing to properly beef up his ranks during the summer, with goalkeeper Petr Cech arriving from Chelsea as the club's only senior transfer.

However, Brazilian football writer Robbie Blakely has suggested Pato may not be the elite attacker needed by the Gunners this winter, with Corinthians supposedly hoping to get rid of the 26-year-old:

Previous reports from Spanish magazine Don Balon have indicated Liverpool are also interested in the Brazil international (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson).

Pato has 15 goals in 45 appearances across all campaigns this year, and Arsenal would be hoping to revive the peak form of a player who once reigned as one of Serie A's most exciting assets during his five-and-a-half years at the San Siro.