Spain-based journalist Graham Hunter insists Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Malaga winger Santi Cazorla.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to The Emirates, with reports suggesting that the Gunners are preparing a £16 million move for the Spaniard.
And Hunter believes Arsene Wenger’s side are leading the chase for the former Villarreal man.
He recently told talkSPORT:
‘Arsenal have been in touch with Santi Cazorla’s representatives.
‘Cazorla is clear that he is in the prime of his life. He’s a double European Championship winner with Spain and Arsenal are currently, as we speak, pretty far down the line with both of them [the club and player].’
He added:
‘Malaga have debts, and I think the most important thing of all is the Spanish taxman. The Spanish government for the first time ever said we will pursue clubs who are in debt to us for tax, relentlessly, and therefore – for the moment – there’s a queue of clubs who want Santi Cazorla and Arsenal are definitely ahead of that queue.’
Sources suggest Cazorla would be keen on a move to Arsenal, but Wenger insists he is not close to signing the versatile forward.
After the club’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Malaysia XI, Wenger told reporters:
‘We are not close to signing Cazorla. We are still working that out.’
I wouldn’t mind if we signed Cazorla, but I don’t think he is really needed. We have a lot of options on the wing and I think Wenger should focus on trying to sign a creative, attacking midfielder. Yes, Cazorla can play in this position but, primarily, he is a wide-man.
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Henis someone we desperately need. A creative player who has technique in abundance. His versatility is also helpful. Would be an excellent, world class signing.
henis sounds like penis
You’re a retard
Haha! Was thinking the same thing =D
This guy is a creative attacking midfielder who can also play on the wings which is ideal for us. What creative midfielder out there is available at that price with that ability?
Shinji Kagawa is much better than Cazorla,he was available and Arsenal was very much interested but ManU bought him for an initial fee of 12m which could rise to 17m.
Kagawa is nowhere near in the same league as Santi. I’ve seen both of them play, Santi is unlucky that he’s at Malaga, otherwise he’d be in front of David Silva in the Spanish team. If he comes to Arsenal, he’ll be in the top 3 players of the season. Very similar player to Iniesta, so he’s not really a true winger like people label him. He comes deep to pick up the ball and start attacks and his left foot is as good as his right, which is amazing. He could be the icing on the cake which helps us win the title this season.
‘primarily a wide man’ – no, he isnt. He is an attacking midfielder who can play all across the midfield line- homework please
he is exactly what we need. we have been lacking that creative spatk since cesc left and jack got injured. hope we get him.
he is good player we need him santiego cazorla conzales and fernando llorente goa ahead
you foreign ‘fans’ dont have a clue about Arsenal do you, probably wouldnt be able to point to it on a map. looool #GTID! #COYG!
Everyone has a right to their opinion,he’s as much a fan of the club as you are, just because you are English doesn’t make you a better/greater fan,wake up this is the 21st century and Arsenal is a global brand,not some local English pub team,get it???????
So he’s even against the players who are foreign ?
I have to say I think a goal scoring winger is exactly what is needed. Yes there are other tweaks to be made – I would get rid one some of the several central midfield players who are neither particularly defensive or creative, and just leave Song, Wilshire and Arteta then get a defensive midfielder, then use 2 from Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Gervinho, Miyachi and Chamberlain out wide to support Giroud or RVP (or Walcott)in the middle and maybe, just maybe, Arsenal will have a team capable of scoring like the team that had Henry in the middle with Ljundberg and Pires on the Wings. That would be nice!
couldnt agree more mate, I would think a top left-back, back-upgoalie, DM,CAM is vital to have a strong depth of squad
thats like you want a whole new team.
i think we need to sell players quickly… arshavin, vela, chamakh, nikki b, squillachi all need to leave soon. then we can decide who to buy and who not to.
I wonder why we didn’t do all this addition when Cesc was here. I wonder if he would have been persuaded to stay if all these players were bought while he was here.
His reason to leave was to join up with his friends at his home-town club … not to critisize Arsenals ambition and question their Transfer policies.
No money TrueGooner. Few more pennies in the coffers now and this will continue to grow season after season. We’re only just starting to come out of the poor old days of having to pay off new stadium. Future is very bright i think!!!!
i think wenger might rotate his midfield quite a lot next season. walcott often goes missing in games so i would expect a revolving door down the right until someone settles down in the role. would also expect to see the Ox in a more central role too, probably switching roles with Carzola (if the transfer happens)Thats not to say he wont play on the wing either, like i said rotation will be the key in midfield next season. Would realy like to see wiltshere linking up with the Ox in the middle of the park….COYG!!!!!
I personally agree with u wardy, ox is one versatile player, he has shown to all how he can be devastating in the middle of the park. Playing ox in attacking mid, wilshere box-box, carzola RW , song CDM, poldi LW AND giroud oe RVP(considering he stays) upfront would be feared by majority of teams