Arsenal have issued a hands-off-warning to Atletico Madrid, over star player Santi Cazorla, insisting the Spaniard is not up for sale at any price, after the La Liga outfit tried to lodge an ambitious bid for the former Malaga midfielder, as per reports from the Evening Standard.
The Los Rojiblancos have money to spend as they look to re-invest in the squad, following the £50 million departure of striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco, earlier in the summer.
Cazorla was one of the prime targets of Atletico last season when the Spanish international shone at Malaga. The Spanish club tried to sign him last summer, but the 28-year-old chose to join Arsenal. It is understood that they have rekindled their interest and have made another attempt to sign him.
Reports in Spain suggest that Miguel Angel Gil, the president of Atletico is in London to negotiate a deal, reported in the figure of £17.5 million; while speculations were rife that the midfielder has already agreed a deal with the Los Colchoneros.
Cazorla has had a sparkling debut season with the Gunners, where he scored 12 goals and bagged 16 assists, helping the North London side finish in top four, ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have suffered a blow with the news that Serie A outfit Napoli are trying to negotiate a deal for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.
The 25-year-old has been one of the prime targets of the Gunners and at one point of time it was thought that they have all but sealed a move for the £23 million Argentine.
However, Madrid have increased their asking price to £30 million, that has prompted Arsenal to shift their attentions elsewhere, with Luis Suarez of Liverpool top of Arsene Wenger’s wish-list.
Liverpool have rejected Arsenal’s opening offer of £30 million and the Gunners need to cough-up another £10 million to convince the Reds of entering into a negotiation.
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