Double blow for Arsenal in the transfer market

Arsenal’s miserable summer in the transfer market has continued after the two frontrunners in the race to replace Cesc Fabregas moved ever further from a joining the club, according to reports.

Santi Cazorla, the Villarreal midfielder, will become Malaga’s record signing after La Liga’s equivalent of moneybags Manchester City moved quicker than the Gunners and agreed an £18 million deal, ‘The Daily Mail’ reported.
 
Arsenal had hoped to pair Cazorla with Spanish international Juan Mata, using the expected £35 million from the imminent sale of Fabregas to fund moves for two of Spain’s brightest talents.

However Valencia president Manuel Llorente moved to end speculation over Mata’s future by insisting his club will not sell the attacker at any price.

Valencia are reluctant to sell having lost David Villa and David Silva a year ago to ease their financial problems, and Llorente has reiterated his stance regarding the former Real Madrid youngster.

He told Superdeporte: “The decision is clear and money will not change our position. Valencia will not sell to any club that wants to buy Mata.”

The deal for Fabregas which will see the Arsenal captain realise his dream of playing for boyhood club Barcelona is expected to go through this week, with Arsenal unable to make serious bids for a potential replacement until such a point.

Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu was in London over the weekend and Spanish media reported on Monday that a new bid was being considered by Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Fabregas missed the friendly win against FC Cologne in Germany and the club have cited an ongoing hamstring injury, with insiders denying any suggestion that the player is effectively on strike.

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