Gunners lie in wait to sign €20m Cazorla

Arsenal’s attempts to push ahead with the record €20m signing of Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla may be frustrated this week by continuing uncertainty regarding the future ownership of the club.

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has said it is impossible for his players not to be affected by the current difficulties amid reports Cazorla has already told associates that a deal bringing him to the Emirates Stadium has been agreed.

The Andalusians qualified for the Champions League for the first time in May after spending more than €50m on players last summer but have yet to make a single signing in this transfer window, with Madrid sports daily AS reporting that owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani has put the club up for sale.