Arsenal have suddenly gone cold on Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

They have privately rejected reports that talks have resumed and are instead keen on switching their attentions elsewhere - in direct contrast to noises from the player's camp that an agreement was imminent.

The London Evening Standard says the player's agent had instigated rumours a deal was close in order to force an offer from Inter Milan and that Arsenal have no plans to sign the Frenchman at present.

The framework of a four-year deal worth £60,000 a week had been proposed from the player's side when tentative contact was made last August and was believed to have been met with a positive response from the club's hierarchy.