ARSENAL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Cazorla In? Bendtner Out?

While the Robin van Persie saga shows no immediate sign of subsiding, Arsenal continue to be active in pursuing additional players after acquiring forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

The Gunners apparently are on the verge of landing a star winger, as Malaga has agreed to move Santi Cazorla to Arsenal for roughly £15.5 million, according to The Guardian.

The 27-year-old has been on Arsene Wenger's radar for quite some time. Cazorla is considered to be a very smart and versatile attacking player, with great quickness and ball control. He has 45 appearances with Spain since 2008, and was on both the Euro 2008 and 2012 squads.

Cazorla joined Malaga in July 2011, but the club has suffered financial problems. Prior to Malaga, Cazorla spent several seasons with Villareal, and had been linked to Real Madrid in 2008. He scored nine league goals for Malaga in 2011-2012.

North London rival Tottenham recently showed interest in the 5'6 Cazorla as a replacement for the imminent departure of diminutive playmaker Luka Modric.

The possible addition of Cazorla may help persuade van Persie to stick around Emirates. There has been wide speculation that van Persie's desire to win a major title is a key motivating factor for considering other options, and Cazorla might provide evidence for van Persie that Arsenal are quite serious about winning silverware.

A Cazorla move to Arsenal may also impact contract negotiations with winger Theo Walcott. The Gunners have starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as Podolski, Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin, at the wing positions.

[Contract talks were] always going to be held back until after the Euros and they continue to talk. We'll see where it goes, Walcott said on Sky Sports News.

It is also unclear how the possibility of Cazorla being added to the club will affect the pursuit of Ganso. The 22-year-old Brazilian is reportedly set to leave Santos. Sources claim that Arsenal are interested in the attacking midfielder, who is valued at about £15 million.

Wenger has already balked on adding Yann M'Vila, a midfielder who appeared set to join the Gunners earlier this summer in a £17 million move. M'Vila suffered an ankle injury in May, but played in Euro 2012 for France, and was a starter in a knockout round match against Spain. Some have questioned his desire and attitude.

No [I am not interested]. We wait on Diaby and Wilshere, Wenger said of M'Vila, according to ESPN. When you look, we have Song, Ramsey, Coquelin, Wilshere, Arteta and Diaby.

In defensive midfielders and box-to-box players we are not short if they are all coming back. If we have setbacks in pre-season, it could be different.

The Guardian also reported that Nicklas Bendtner is in talks with Turkish squad Galatasaray, while Metro reported that AC Milan have shown interest. The 24-year-old Dane has been linked to numerous clubs for over a year.

Bendtner is almost certain to make a permanent move from Arsenal after a solid Euro 2012 campaign, and is valued at about £7 million. Borussia Dortmund, Swansea, and Anzhi Makhachkala are just a few clubs that have shown interest the Bendtner.

Meanwhile, centre back Laurent Koscielny has signed a new three-year contract. The 26-year-old French star is coming off a strong season with the Gunners in 2011-2012.

Laurent is a top-class player and I am very pleased he has decided to commit his future to the club, said Wenger.