Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Santi Cazorla and Yaya Toure

Juventus reportedly want Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla to sign a pre-contract agreement in January, ahead of completing a free transfer move to Turin next summer.

Italian source Calciomercato (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror) reported how Serie A giants Juve are anxious to get a deal done for the 31-year-old Spaniard. It's a move Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should try to avoid, even though rumours of Cazorla's departure have been building recently.

In fact, Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni stated Cazorla's contract won't be renewed, in an article for TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star). The reports cited Wenger's reputation for "releasing players—or only offering short-term contracts—once they reach the twilight of their careers."

If one player merits being considered an exception for the policy, it's Cazorla. He's become arguably the Gunners' most influential figure since adapting to a new role during the 2014/15 season.

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Originally an advanced schemer, Cazorla dropped deeper in 2014 and began a career transformation. It's an arc that's seen the former Villarreal and Malaga ace become one of the most accomplished deep-lying pass masters in England's top flight.

Arsenal are a better, more creative attacking team with Cazorla dictating possession from deep. Without him, the Gunners lack pace and imagination in their passing, something they were painfully reminded of when the Spaniard missed the recent 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

Mohamed Elneny came in for the pocket-edition maestro but couldn't match his vision and technique. After the stalemate, Wenger quickly referenced how much his team missed its Spanish mini marvel, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard: "You always miss Cazorla at home. From deep midfield into the final third his pass is always quick, accurate."

Cazorla's absence is always felt because of the way he mixes keeping possession with using the ball in a progressive way. His forward passes are played swiftly and between the lines.

Cazorla is just as likely to slide a pass through gaps for turbo-heeled forwards Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott as he is to lift a ball over the top for Mesut Ozil's runs from midfield.

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Actually, it's Cazorla's connection with the stylish Ozil that has really defined Arsenal's game going forward this season, according to Adam Bate of Sky Sports:

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It was particularly an issue for Mesut Ozil. His link-up with Cazorla has been a long-time feature of Arsenal at their best. It's perhaps the most effective pass combination in the Premier League. Cazorla looks to feed Ozil regularly, progressing possession and putting Arsenal on the ball in dangerous positions time and time again with that fast pass into feet.

In Arsenal's last away game against Burnley, Cazorla found Ozil on 23 occasions. In the home game prior to that against Chelsea it was 26 times. In the away win at Hull, Ozil received no fewer than 28 passes from his team-mate.

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No Cazorla means the pace of the Gunners' passing slows. The ball is often moved sideways instead of between the lines.

Wenger won't find many deep-lying playmakers superior to the Spaniard. He should keep Cazorla beyond this season. However, the Frenchman needs a better plan for when the midfielder isn't fit.

Gunners Interested in January Move for Yaya Toure

One solution might be to add Yaya Toure and his box-to-box power and skill to the midfield ranks.

The Gunners are reportedly keen on the 33-year-old Manchester City outcast who is expected to leave in January, per Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express.

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Fissler noted how Toure's frosty relationship with City boss Pep Guardiola is pushing him toward the exit. He also credited Serie A duo Inter Milan and Juventus, along with clubs in China, with an interest in the powerhouse.

However, Fissler believes Arsenal may be tempted into making an offer of their own for the midfielder who has won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup with the Citizens.

Signing Toure would give Wenger the chance to make up for one that got away. The Ivory Coast star had a trial with the Gunners back in 2003, when brother Kolo Toure was also making the grade in north London, per Squawka:

Yet this wouldn't be just about turning back the clock. Toure still has vital talents Arsenal need, particularly at home against teams content to park the bus and defend deep in numbers.

Without Cazorla's radar, teams like Middlesbrough are only going to be broken down by late, direct runs from midfield. It's something Aaron Ramsey usually supplies, but the Welshman has been injured since the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the opening day.

Toure's long strides and eye for goal would be excellent complements for a lightning-fast-yet-lightweight forward line. His skills may be on the decline, but the Ivorian can still be a match-winner, an experienced and invaluable influence as a player selectively used on a short-term deal.

Acquiring a veteran star for the short term wouldn't be very Wenger. But it might provide the kind of spark Arsenal's talented underachievers need to finally take the last step and win the title.