Arsenal Transfer News: Are the Gunners Keen on Santi Cazorla?

Arsenal are believed to be interested in signing Spanish international Santi Cazorla over the summer transfer window, as they try to rectify what is turning into a horror transfer window for the club.

With the future of star striker Robin van Persie seemingly still in limbo, Cazorla is reportedly viewed as an excellent addition to the Gunners' attack and is believed to be interested in making a move to the Emirates from cash-strapped Malaga.

The 27-year-old, who was part of Spain's victory at the recent European Championships, is rumored to be available to leave the club for just £16 million this summer.

The news doesn't appear correspond with Malaga's seemingly strong financial position, but as The Daily Mirror reports, that might not be the case for the Spanish club.

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Malaga—despite being owned by a billionaire—are facing meltdown and potential relegation, which has left Cazorla and other top players ready to quit this summer. 

Cazorla has a 45 million Euro buy-out clause in his contract, but could leave for less than half of that because Malaga need to pay off debts to avoid punishment by Spanish football authorities.

Malaga's Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani can wipe out the debts - which include around £3m from Cazorla's transfer fee still owed to Villarreal - but has chosen not to so far and the Spanish FA are threatening to clamp down.

Cazorla is one of several players owed unpaid wages and wants to quit with the club now seeing his sale as the easiest way to solve their financial problems.

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The financial position could well be the saving grace for Arsene Wenger, who could use the signing of Cazorla to please the Gunners fans should their captain and star striker leave the club over the summer transfer window.

The winger has played over 40 international matches for Spain and whilst he would play out wide and not replace Van Persie directly, he would be a useful addition to the London club's squad—particularly if the club also lose Theo Walcott, whom the club are currently negotiating a new contract with, according to Sky Sports.

The biggest hindrance to any deal taking place between Cazorla and Arsenal however, is the fact that the Gunners may be unwilling to spend the money on another player before the sale of Robin van Persie. The club could sell the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner—which could potentially free up the money to make a move for the Spanish international.

Having said that, Arsenal's No.1 priority continues to be, and must be, to try to retain their star striker for next season and if that is not possible, then making sure they get the best possible long-term deal for the Dutch international.

If that brings in Cazorla, then I'm sure no Gunners fan is going to complain.

Will Santi Cazorla make a move to the Emirates over the transfer window?

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