Malaga star Santi Cazorla close to agreeing Arsenal switch
Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Santi Cazorla from Malaga as the midfielder prepares to fly into North London for a medical according to Sky Sports.
Cazorla has emerged as a serious target for Arsene Wenger in the last fortnight and has moved quickly to tie up a deal with the player eager to leave the troubled Spanish outfit.
A 22million euros (£17.3million) fee has reportedly been agreed between the two clubs with the 27-year-old set on leaving the La Rosaleda just a year after joining from Villarreal.
Malaga paid 19 million euros to capture his signature but are currently managing debts up to 40 million euros and, despite a takeover said to be imminent, the Spain international has his heart set on a move to the Gunners.
It would certainly represent another major transfer coup for Wenger following the purchase of Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud for a combined £22m earlier this summer.
Reports are suggesting that Cazorla should arrive in England within the next 48 hours to tie up his switch and could be joined at the Emirates Stadium by Real Madrid playmaker Nuri Sahin.
The Turkey international is expected to join Arsenal on a season-long loan provided both the player and clubs reach an agreement with Wenger hoping to have him in place before the new Premier League season kicks off next month.
News that Jack Wilshere will be out until October as he recovers from an ankle injury has prompted the Frenchman to move for Sahin who signed a six-year contract with the La Liga champions in May 2011 after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
First team opportunities have been hard to come by at the Santiago Bernabeu and boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to let the talented 23-year-old leave temporarily rather than stagnant on the substitutes bench week-after-week.
