Premier League quartet interested in French bad-boy M’Vila

Rubin Kazan midfielder Yann M’Vila is reportedly being targeted by Premier League title hopes Liverpool (5/2) and Arsenal (40/1) and top four outsiders Tottenham (10/1) and Everton (9/1), after reportedly being told he is free to leave the club in the summer. His contract is up at the end of June.

The French international – who has not played for his country since November 2012 after being disciplined for breaching regulations whilst with the Under-21 squad – has found himself out of favour since the winter break.

Russian Premier League side Rubin hired boss Rinat Bilyaletdinov, father of former Toffees winger Diniyar, in January and has preferred to use players from the home nation, with Paul Mogilevets being picked over M’Vila.

Fellow Frenchman Chris Mavinga – incidentally punished by his country for the same reason as M’Vila – has also lost his place in the side, this time to youngster Elmir Nabiullin, and has also been linked with a move to England.

Former Rennes star M’Vila primarily operates in defensive midfield, and with Arsenal and Spurs in much need of someone to play in the anchor role, London looks the likely destination for the 23-year-old.

Spurs have been using little-known Algeria international Nabil Bentaleb in that position, while the Gunners need more squad depth with just Mathieu Flamini occupying the deeper area.

M’Vila was, however, recently seen in the Anfield crowd, but Brendan Rodgers currently has the likes of Lucas Leiva and a certain Steven Gerrard on his roster.

Everton, meanwhile, look certain to snap up current Man City loanee Gareth Barry in the summer, as well as being in the hunt to bring back former player Jack Rodwell from the Etihad. It seems unlikely they will need another defensive midfielder.

The Premier League certainly looks the destination for M’Vila, who is currently back in his home country receiving treatment on an injury. Mavinga is likely to follow after Bilyaletdinov’s apparent desire to sign more home-grown players.