Santi Cazorla has been given permission by Malaga to join Arsenal in the training camp but where is the announcement from Arsenal?
The 27-year-old midfielder looked set to move to the Emirates for the past week from the financially-stricken Spanish side and although it had been thought that the deal would be done-and-dusted by now the fact that he has gone to Germany with the rest of the squad would suggest that it is practically done.
Malaga announced last week that they were to undergo a ‘financial restructuring’ and while the exact details of that are not known it does involve the sale of three players to try and pay off debts estimated at 45million euro. Cazorla’s team-mate, striker Jose Salomon Rondon, is set to join Russian side Rubin Kazan in a 12million euro deal.
The fee Arsenal will pay for Cazorla seems to vary each day. Reports last week suggested 16million euro (£12.6million). Sky Sports reported yesterday the fee would be £18million, which is similar to the bid lodged by Arsenal last month. Malaga’s dire need for cash could conceivably result in a £12.6million downpayment with add-ons and bonuses adding a further £6million or so. We may find out in due course. The transfer is set to be announced any time.
