Rumour: Atletico Madrid line up £15 million move for Arsenal's Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly now open to listen to bids above £15 million for his Spanish international midfielder Santi Cazorla, according to reports.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly favourites to take the Spaniard back to his native land as they seek to rebuild their La Liga winning side from last season after the departures of Diego Costa and Felipe Luis to Chelsea.

Cazorla was the main buy of the summer for the Gunners in 2012, when they were able to get their hands him for a price close to their £15 million valuation for the midfielder.

He soon became the orchestrator-in-chief at the heart of the Arsenal midfield and a fan favourite. Although Arsenal ended 2012/13 trophyless, the Gunners saw hope for the future with Cazorla pulling the strings from the middle of the park.

Last season however, proved to be a turning point for the Spaniard. The ex-Malaga man made 30 starts for the Gunners, but was often pushed wide left to accommodate their new chief in midfield, Mesut Ozil and the emerging Aaron Ramsey.

With the arrival of Alexis Sanchez and competition beckoning from the returns of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla might find his place in the starting line-up even more threatened.

With Atletico Madrid reportedly providing a way out for the Spaniard, it might the best time for Cazorla to find pastures new.