Villarreal have confirmed that Santi Cazorla has opted not to renew his contract with the club and will make his final appearance this weekend before decided his next move.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed a renaissance in La Liga this season having overcome his injury problems, scoring 11 goals and laying on nine assists in 34 appearances.
He had been weighing up whether to continue his playing career at Villarreal or start a new chapter elsewhere, having been linked with a return to Arsenal as a coach under Mikel Arteta.
And Cazorla has opted to end his time at Villarreal, with his final match – and that of long-time teammate Bruno Soriano – coming on Sunday against Eibar.
‘Villarreal have given me everything,’ said Cazorla in a video posted by the club. ‘At the age of 18, they opted to sign a boy from Oviedo who knew no-one. I am proud to be able to finish my career with Bruno.
‘I hope that, as happened with my previous farewell match [when Cazorla left in 2006], it will be a “see you later”.’
Cazorla has yet to announce where he will go next, but he has two clear options: a reunion with Arteta in north London, or a lucrative deal with Qatari side Al Sadd.
Talks with the latter club are believed to be at an advanced stage, with the midfielder potentially taking up a player-coach role under countryman Xavi.
However, Arsenal’s hopes of seeing Cazorla in the Emirates dugout may not be over just yet, with the move dependent on Xavi remaining in charge of Al Sadd.
But Barcelona’s miserable form has seen Quique Setien come under significant pressure and while he will take charge of their Champions League matches in August, he is not expected to be in charge beyond that.
Xavi is the leading contender to replace Setien, with Barca presidential candidate Victor Font having made it clear that he wants the Catalan legend to be the club’s next manager should he win the election.
Cazorla has previously hinted at a return to Arsenal, telling Vamos earlier this year: ‘I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal]. You have to ask the fans, but I want to thank everyone. I don’t know what I will do next, maybe a coach, maybe a sports director, but I would like to come back.’
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