La Liga Duo Set for Arsenal - Plus RVP Latest

Sahin is said to be set for a season-long loan in N5

By Nick Lander

Santi Cazorla is widely expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player in the next couple of days - possibly even later this evening (Thursday). The Spanish international is set to leave Malaga's financial difficulties behind and join Arsenal on a 4 year, £70,000 per week deal. There are still large discrepancies in the reporting of his transfer fee, but it is probably €16m or £12.5m which is an absolute bargain - though the fee could be as high as €24m.

The attacking midfielder missed training today, with his club's permission, and is understood to be scheduled for an Arsenal today. A player who's creativity has been compared to former Gunner Cesc Fabregas' Cazorla's signature will be a very shrewd piece of business from Arsene Wenger, who will have secured a fantastic player for a reasonable price - something which is increasingly difficult in today's market.

Another player who is set to move to Arsenal is Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin. Despite Wenger outright denying it in his final Asia Tour press conference, the Turkish midfielder is reported to be on the verge of securing a season-long loan spell in North London. The talented midfielder has struggled for game time in the Spanish capital, following his move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, partially through injury.

With Jack Wilshere unlikely to return until October at the earliest, Sahin would effectively be signed as cover for the Englishman. The Gunners will also be missing Tomas Rosicky from their midfield at the start of the season, and doubts over Abou Diaby's ability to stay fit for an extended period of time still linger.

Some quarters of the media have begun to suggest that Wenger's recent activity in the transfer market has begun to change Robin van Persie's mind about leaving the club. The striker is understood to prefer a move abroad, rather than to either of the Manchester clubs, but Juventus are the only foreign side to have placed a bid and their manager, Antonio Conte, is facing a lengthy suspension after being found to have played a part in the latest match fixing scandal to blight Italian football, whilst with previous club Siena. Van Persie publicly expressed this intentions to snub a new Arsenal deal at the beginning of July. It has now been suggested that the mood of the entire Arsenal squad has lifted with the imminent arrival of Cazorla and that van Persie is seriously considering a U-turn.

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Gunners Make Cazorla Bid

By Nick Lander

Arsenal are understood to have made a formal approach for Malaga star Santi Cazorla. According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Gunners have table an offer of €23m. However, the report does then go on to state that the midfielder has a release clause of €45m. A figure that Arsenal's bid is not even close to.

Signed last summer from Villarreal for €22.6m, Malaga are currently in a financial turmoil that could see them relegated in the next couple of weeks. A disaster for a club that should be competing in the Champions League next season. It had originally been believed that Cazorla would be available for less than €15m but, as a result of Malaga's tough stance, his price has gradually been increasing since the speculation first emerged.

Manuel Pellegrini, the Malaga manager, recently made his - and the club's - position clear. When asked about Cazorla's prospective transfer at a recent press conference, he said: "I do not think that for €20m Santi will leave the club, because it would be giving him away.

"It would belittle our intention of competing for the Champions League."

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta recently stated his admiration for his compatriot saying "he is a top, top player. He has unbelievable quality and talent." A sentiment that manager Arsene Wenger was in agreement with, "I share the opinion of Mikel Arteta. Cazorla is a great player."

It will be interesting to see if the two parties can reach an agreement. It will almost certainly depend on the outcome of Malaga's financial problems, so, much like Robin van Persie's exit from Arsenal, this is a transfer that is likely to run over the whole summer.

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