Arsenal are facing a major hold-up in their £20million pursuit of Malaga forward Santi Cazorla.
Spain international Cazorla is desperate to join the Gunners but his crisis-hit Spanish club are now the subject of a takeover bid, placing a large obstacle in the path towards a deal.
Malaga are facing major sanctions from the Spanish FA because of their mounting debts, while Cazorla was one of a number of the club’s players not paid their full wages paid last season.
While they were ready to sell Cazorla in an attempt to fend off their financial problems, Malaga’s wealthy owner Sheikh Al Thani is now being courted by a consortium led by Albanian oil magnate Rezart Taci.
Arsenal are still hopeful of pushing through a deal that would go some way to softening the blow of the impending sale of captain Robin van Persie – a target for Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus – for their fans.
Cazorla’s agent, Julio Llorente, has been in London to try to thrash out a deal to take the playmaker to the Gunners.
Arsenal are also courting Real Madrid’s Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin, although arch-rivals Tottenham are also keen on him.
Real want Spurs’ Luka Modric, of course, and while Sahin was initially reluctant to go to White Hart Lane as part of any deal, it is believed Arsenal’s neighbours remain in the hunt.
Tottenham are hopeful Sahin could join them on a year’s loan as part of the deal should Modric eventually be sold to the Bernabeu.
Gunners boss Wenger, who admits England midfielder Jack Wilshere’s already year-long injury lay-off is set to continue into the autumn, may be reluctant to sign Cazorla and Sahin, and the latter could be a back-up option for Arsenal rather than a priority,
The Gunners are also keen on Caen forward M’Baye Niang.
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