FORMER Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has revealed that he still receives phone calls from his old side about potential transfers for the North Londoners.
The Gunners have been linked with Cazorla’s Villarreal team-mates Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze in recent months.
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And they clearly value their former midfield maestro’s opinion highly.
When quizzed over whether he fields calls about his highly-rated team-mates, the 35-year-old told Marca: “Yes, friends from Arsenal especially.
“They ask me about them and think they can make the jump to the Premiership tomorrow.”
Cazorla clearly isn’t ready to see his current team raided just yet though.
He continued: “It’s good that great teams are interested in young players from Villarreal, but for the moment I tell them to leave them alone here.
“They still have to take steps forward. They both have a great personality, and their feet are on the ground.
“In Pau’s [Torres] case he hears constant talk of City or Barcelona, but he is aware that he has to keep growing as a player and that in the future we will see where he can go.”
Arsenal have long held an interest in Torres, who broke into the senior Spain squad earlier this season.
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The 23-year-old scored on his debut for La Roja against Malta back in November and has impressed in his 22 appearances for Villarreal this season.
Chukwueze meanwhile, has a whole host of English clubs chasing his signature and could cost up to £60million to prise away from Spain.
The 20-year-old Nigerian livewire has impressed down the right flank this season – netting four goals and laying on four assists for the Yellow Submarine.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are all believed to be keen.
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As for Cazorla himself, he is enjoying what had seemed an unlikely renaissance after a string of grotesque injury problems in his final years at Arsenal.
His form for Villarreal has been so good that he could even feature for Spain at this summer’s European Championships.
He made his return for his national side earlier this season, and was given a standing ovation by adoring fans as he marked his comeback with a goal.
