Arsenal's prime target this summer Santi Cazorla is pushing for a move to Arsenal, despite Malaga's efforts to find a new owner for the club, as the Gunners face competition for the signing of Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid.
According to several reports in England and Spain, it is understood Cazorla has told the Malaga hierarchy about his intention to make a move to the Gunners, and will put in an official transfer request if necessary. Cazorla has already reportedly agreed personal terms in principle.
Arsenal hope a £16 million ($25.1 million) bid will be enough to convince the Spanish club to sell. Malaga owner Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani is trying to sell the club to Albanian oil magnate Rezart Taci, as the club tries to get rid of their debts as soon as possible. However, despite the efforts, it is believed Cazorla has his heart set on a move to Arsenal.
Another Arsenal target Sahin is also reportedly interesting the Milan clubs - Inter and AC. Both the teams are looking for some creative influence in their line-up as they try to stop Juventus from garnering another Serie A title.
With the impending arrival of Luka Modric from Arsenal's arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Sahin has been told by Jose Mourinho he will find it hard to get into the first team. It is understood the factor holding up a move to Arsenal is that there is no option currently to buy the player on a permanent basis at the end of his loan period.
Sahin is dithering over a loan move, as he still believes he can fight for a place at Real, but if forced would like some certainty in the next club that he plays. It is also understood the Turkish international would prefer a move back to Germany or Italy over the English Premier League; so it will primarily depend on whether Arsene Wenger can convince the playmaker to come to North London.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are looking at bidding for another Southampton starlet Luke Shaw. Chelsea have already had a bid of £4 million ($6.2 million) rejected by the Saints for the left-back, but Wenger believes he can offer a more lucrative package to the club, from where he has already bought Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
With the left side of Arsenal's defense still a little wobbly, Wenger might go into overdrive to try and secure the 17-year-old's signature, with Shaw tipped by many as the "new Gareth Bale".
Wenger confirmed Nicklas Bendtner, Sebastian Squilacci and Park Ju-Young would be leaving the club this summer while revealing the future of Andrey Arshavin was still up in the air. "Bendtner, Squilacci and Park will be on their way to go somewhere," Wenger told reporters in Hong Kong.
"Arshavin, it depends. We have to sit together and have talks. He could still have a future at the club."
Marouane Chamakh, who had a poor pre-season tour of Asia, could also leave, with Turkish club Besiktas admitting their interest in the striker.
