Arsenal Close on Cazorla

By Nick Lander

Arsenal have begun  to firm up their interest in Spanish attacker Santi Cazorla. Currently at Malaga, Cazorla can play anywhere across the midfield and anywhere in a front three.

Fresh from winning the Euros this summer with his country, Cazorla returned to pre-season to find his club in turmoil. Despite recently being taken over by wealthy backers, Malaga are in deep financial trouble and are currently facing relegation from La Liga, with considerable debts to other clubs, the government and their players. The club will be relegated at the end of the month if these debts are not cleared. The club finished in the Champions League places last season.

Signed last summer for £17m, Arsenal were interested in Cazorla then too, but did not have the finance for a move at the right time, the 27 year old is now believed to be available for between £10-£16m. He is keen to quit Malaga and there have been some reports that he has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners, whilst these cannot be substantiated, Cazorla did report for training today with his agent, and it is understood that he was to have crunch talks with his club to try and secure a move away.

It is unclear whether Arsenal have agreed personal terms with the winger, or even bid, but Arsene Wenger has said that "we are not close to signing Cazorla. We are still working that out." Given his tight lipped nature with regards to transfers, it would seem that Cazorla is very close to a move to N5, with Wenger giving a quote that solid about the Gunners' interest in the Spaniard.

If Arsenal do clinch the winger's signature, then it is likely to signal the end of their interest in Barcelona wide man Ibrahim Afellay, who Arsenal have also been linked with a move for.

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