Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Santi Cazorla, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Rumours

Atletico Madrid will reportedly target Arsenal's Santi Cazorla as a possible replacement for Arda Turan during the summer transfer window, according to the latest transfer rumours from Spain.

AS (h/t Metro.co.uk's George Bellshaw) believes manager Diego Simeone is a big fan of the Spain international, adding that Cazorla would be open to the idea of returning to his country of birth. No fee is mentioned, and the newspaper adds that the player's valuation could be a roadblock for a possible move.

Cazorla's name has been regularly mentioned in transfer rumours for months after an excellent season for the Gunners, and Goal's James Goldman even predicted the veteran might leave the Emirates.

But those rumours had gone quiet in recent weeks, and Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell didn't even mention them during his latest look at the club's latest transfer stories:

The 30-year-old was a pivotal member of the Gunners' attack last season, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com. He's been one of the team's top players since joining from Malaga, but in a new role in 2014-15, he truly unlocked his potential.

Bleacher Report's James McNicholas took a look at the impact his deeper role had on his play last year, and he's of the opinion that Cazorla simply can't leave the club right now:

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Crucially, he’s formed an excellent partnership with Coquelin, whose brute physicality neatly offsets Cazorla’s technical brilliance. With that pair in tandem, Arsenal have their most balanced midfield in years.

In the space of a season, Cazorla re-established himself in Arsenal’s midfield engine room, and made himself absolutely indispensable to Wenger. The little man has never been a bigger figure in the Gunners XI.

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Most fans will agree with that sentiment, and rightly so. Cazorla drove Arsenal's attack last season to great success, and while plenty of teams would love to have a player like that in their side, the Gunners will have no intention of letting him walk.

Unless the Gunners can get a nice fee in return, selling him would make little sense, and few clubs will offer a king's ransom for a 30-year-old.

According to Marca.com, Turan may net Atletico a nice return in the event of a sale, but they won't spend the bulk of that on his replacement if that player is closer to the end of his career than the start.

If Cazorla is eager to return to Spain, the situation might change, but while AS may claim the midfielder is open to a return, Cazorla himself has yet to openly state his intention of leaving Arsenal.

Football-wise, Cazorla would make a ton of sense for Atletico, who would love to add his creative brain to an already-strong side, but there are far too many variables that make this move next to impossible.

Gunners Eyeing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Tibor Illyes/Associated Press

Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly inquired about Racing Genk's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a 20-year-old Serbian who is being eyed by a host of top clubs.

According to Tuttomercatoweb.com (h/t Bellshaw), Lazio Roma have already made a £4.3 offer for the midfielder, and while Genk turned down said bid, the Italians are reportedly in the lead for his services.

Igli Tare, the former striker who now works as the club's technical area coordinator, told reporters he believes the Biancocelesti are close to a deal, as shared by Football Italia's Alasdair Mackenzie:

Milinkovic-Savic showed plenty of promise during his debut season in Belgium, although the club suffered through a nightmare campaign and didn't even come close to European football.

A defensive midfielder, he's built like a tank and moves remarkably well for a man his height (6'3"). He also has plenty of technical ability and scored at a surprising rate, as he plays in such a deep role.

Milinkovic-Savic is far from a finished product, however, and still has plenty of growing to do. Consistency was an issue last season, and it would seem to be in his best interest to stay in Belgium for now and continue his development there.

Genk usually battle it out with Belgium's top teams for a spot in the UEFA Champions League, and they'll have no intention of selling their star youngster knowing how vital the upcoming season is.

Unless the buying team agrees to loan the youngster back for at least one season, they won't be easy to negotiate with.

Such a scenario may actually be ideal. Milinkovic-Savic has obvious talent, and it's easy to see why top clubs are doing their best to sign him this summer. Belgian football produces plenty of talent, but the clubs don't have the financial resources to cope with the likes of Arsenal.

If the Gunners allow him to stay with Genk for one more year, they should be able to persuade the Belgians into a sale.

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