Carlos Vela
Carlos Vela would like to return to Arsenal, the striker has admitted. Reuters

Arsenal have confirmed that Mexican youngster Carlos Vela has joined Spanish club Real Socieded. The 23-year-old arrived with the Gunners as a teenager in 2007, from Mexican club Guadalajara, but failed to break into the first team or even establish himself as a squad player under Arsene Wenger.

An earlier IBTimes UK report revealed Vela had been in negotiations with Sociedad, with whom he'd spent last season on loan, for some time now and reports indicate the player has signed a four-year deal at the Basque club, for an undisclosed fee. He could feature in his new side's opening-day league clash against Barcelona on 19 August. Vela made 35 appearances for the Anoeta club last season, scoring 12 times, more than he managed in 62 appearances for the Gunners.

The move will have come as welcome relief for the player himself, who has admitted wanting to leave Arsenal and join Sociedad.

"From my point of view, from a footballing and lifestyle standpoint it is better to stay in this league. I have a contract with an English team and if I have to return there I will adapt, but if I could stay here I would be happier," he was quoted as saying.

Spurs Chase Former Arsenal Target

Most major clubs have invested heavily in the transfer market over the summer as they seek either to rebuild their reputations or play catch-up with the champions, Manchester City. A number of top-class players have, therefore, been linked with a move to England and while some have materialised, some others, despite much fanfare, faded away. One of the latter cases was the proposed switch of defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila to Arsenal.

The 22-year-old French international, who plays for Rennes in France's Ligue 1, has been linked with the Gunners for some time but speculation over a move ended when the French club's president, Frederic de Saint-Sermin admitted he had yet to receive a concrete offer from any club for his player. Since then, reports that Wenger was considering Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama instead of the Frenchman seemed to put an end to talks of M'Vila moving to England.

However, recent reports on Goal.com have confirmed that Rennes has finally received an official bid from an unnamed Premier League club. Saint-Sernin spoke to French television channel Canal+ after the club's opening day defeat to Olympique Lyon, stating M'Vila had a "very concrete offer from England".

Interestingly, the bid may not be from Arsenal. The National reports Tottenham Hotspur could be the interested party, with a transfer fee of £9.5m suggested; Rennes are believed to value him at £12m. Spurs were also linked to the player in a report in the Metro, which stated Wenger had officially given up on M'Vila because he felt the player was too undisciplined.