Spanish champions Atletico Madrid are hoping to bring in an Arsenal playmaker as they look to rebuild for next season.
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Atletico Madrid may be resigned to losing some of their star players to the Premier League this summer, but Diego Simeone is determined to bring one star in the other direction, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The man in question is Santi Cazorla, a player who may find his position in the Arsenal squad under threat should Arsene Wenger choose to flex his financial muscle in the transfer market this summer.
Atletico are already resigned to losing midfielders Diego Ribas and Tiago, whilst there are no guarantees that La Liga title winners will be able to hang on to star playmaker Koke.
The Gunners brought Cazorla to North London from Malaga in 2012, with the clever playmaker having established himself as one of the key members of Wenger’s squad in the two seasons that have passed since.
The North Londoners are not short of talent in the attacking midfield positions, however, with the signing of Mesut Ozil and emergence of Aaron Ramsey in the middle of the park last summer having meant that Cazorla’s opportunity for playing time was diminished in the 2013/14 campaign.
With Theo Walcott to return from injury, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to continue his development and at least one marquee signing in that area expected from Wenger, Cazorla may quickly become dispensable.
With this in mind, Cazorla could be tempted by a return to Spain, particularly if it is to play under Simeone at the champions.
It may also represent a shift in attitude from the Argentinian, with Cazorla more creative than many of Atletico’s current options, but without the intensity and work rate that defined their impressive campaign.
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