Rennes have confirmed that Yann M'Vila will leave in the January transfer window, but Tottenham face an uphill battle to sign the long-term target, reports claim, with Russian outfit Rubin Kazan willing to offer more money for the star.

M'Vila has long been connected with a move to the Premier League, and though he has amassed a bad reputation in France, clubs around Europe are willing to offer the 22 year old the chance to make a second impression as he continues to fall out of favour in Ligue 1.

QPR were recently linked with a possible move for M'Vila, though French press claimed that at the end of last week Tottenham had met with his agents to discuss a possible fee. But now, L'Equipe is reporting that Rubin Kazan have agreed to pay €11.5 million for the star, including an annual salary of €4 million.

Yann M'Vila
Yann M'Vila is a reported target for Tottenham, but the midfielder could be making a move to Russia instead.

With Tottenham unwilling to meet this fee or wage, the club now look likely to be priced out of the deal if M'Vila agrees to make the move to Russia.

Spurs will be on the lookout for a replacement for Sandro this month, with the Brazil international suffering a knee injury that required surgery and looks likely to keep him out of action for up to the rest of the season.

The north London club have since been reportedly hoping to land Lewis Holtby earlier than in the summer, when the club agreed to take the midfielder from Schalke.

If they should sign M'Vila as well, the side would certainly be able to cope without Sandro as he recovers, but his reputation and issues with both Rennes and the French national side - which he is banned from playing for until 2014 after having a night on the town during curfew - could make his fee one of an issue for a club who wouldn't want to take an expensive risk on a player who lacks focus.