Arsenal are ready to join Premier League rivals Everton in the race to sign Cameroon International Stephane M’Bia from Ligue 1 side Rennes when the transfer window reopens in January, according to reports.

22-year-old M’Bia has spent his entire football career at the Frederic de Saint-Sermin, having emerged from the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon in 2004. The same Academy that has produced Samuel Eto’o, Carlos Kameni and former Manchester United player Eric Djemba Djemba.

Everton reportedly made a firm offer for the defensive-midfielder during the summer, with boss David Moyes keen to land the combative midfielder to his squad at Goodison Park. However, M’Bia decided to stay with the French club for another season at least.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has come under criticism for not replacing the players he let leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the latest reports now suggesting that Wenger is ready to act in January and make a move for M’Bia, with the Arsenal midfield lacking an out and out ball winner at the moment.