Arsenal star Santi Cazorla is being eyed by Atletico Madrid as a replacement for Manchester United and Chelsea target Arda Turan, reports the Daily Express.
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The 30-year-old played 50 times for the Gunners last season, scoring seven goals and assisting another 13. However, with them being linked to midfielders such as Arturo Vidal by the Daily Mail this summer, he could still be allowed to leave.
The emergence of Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park over the last six months also means that Spain international isn’t as important to the side as he used to be.
Atleti are keen on the former Villarreal man as rumours intensify about Turan departing from the Vicente Calderon. They are expected to get £29 million for the winger, freeing up funds for the North London ace. Cazorla could even be an improvement on the 28-year-old, who only managed three goals and six assists in 46 games last time round.
However, they may have some trouble getting the midfielder back to La Liga though, as he currently seems happy at the Emirates.
“I’m very happy here at Arsenal and I’ve got two more years on my contract. I only think about getting better at this club. I’m very happy here and I don’t think about leaving right now,” he said back in February, according to the International Business Times.
WIth Arsene Wenger giving him a new role in the middle of the park next to Coquelin, the Spaniard seems to be back to his best. Even so, a return to his homeland may well entice him, especially to a club playing in the Champions League and with an inspirational manager such as Diego Simeone.