Santi Cazorla will move one step closer to completing his move to Arsenal, with the Spaniard set to fly to London to undergo a medical sometime this week.
According to several reports in the British and Spanish press, once a €22 million fee (£17.3 million, $27 million) fee is accepted by Malaga, the 27-year-old will jet into London to complete the formalities.
After inking deals for Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, the signing of the Spanish international playmaker will be seen as a definitive sign of intent by Arsene Wenger, as the Frenchman looks to end the club's seven-year trophy drought.
With Cazorla and a couple more signings, including Nuri Sahin, expected to be completed by this summer, the ambition that the club lacks, which is what Robin Van Persie claims is his main reason to not sign a new contract, will wear thin.
This transfer window, if the Cazorla signing is completed, will be one of the most fruitful for the Gunners, ever since tightening the purse strings once the new stadium was built, not that Wenger was keen on spending too much money before that anyway.
The Frenchman recently spoke out about how a club needs to live within their means, keeping in mind the volatile economic climate prevailing in Europe. Wenger is a master of that art, and looks to have pulled off another coup, providing the deal is confirmed.
Van Persie, according to Italian FIFA agent Fabio Parisi, has already agreed a deal with Juventus. The Italian club are considered to be one of the frontrunners for the Dutchman's signature, with the champions reportedly offering Van Persie £190,000 a week in wages after tax, but are not ready to pay the transfer fee demanded by the Gunners, believed to be £30 million ($46.6 million).
"I think Juventus have had a signed contract with Van Persie for some time locked away in a notary's desk," Parisi told Italian TV.
"It is just my opinion, but I think there's an eight out of 10 chance the Dutchman will join the Bianconeri.
"Juventus want to win and he is considered the ideal addition to achieve that. I don't think Edin Dzeko is the right player for the Bianconeri."
Juve, however, are preparing a bid of a little over £20 million ($31 million), which it is understood, Arsenal might eventually accept. Although Wenger wants to keep Van Persie at the Emirates, he is worried a transfer saga similar to the ones of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer, might hamper the team's preparations.
Meanwhile, the club confirmed youngster Nico Yennaris has signed a new contract extension.
"Arsenal Football Club is delighted to confirm that Nico Yennaris has signed a new contract extension with the Club," a statement on the club's official website read.
The 19 year-old England youth international enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2011-12, making three appearances for Wenger's senior side before gaining further first-team experience with League One outfit Notts County in a brief loan spell. Yennaris also impressed in Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia last week.
