Arsenal has been scouting Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino as a replacement for Santi Cazorla amid rumours that the Gunners playmaker could return to Spain and play for Atletico Madrid.
Firmino continues to capture the headlines for German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim with Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley watching him closely.
Arsenal may be forced to go after the Brazilian international who has a price tag of around £20 million should Atletico make a move for the 30-year-old Cazorla.
At the moment Arsene Wenger is saying that Cazorla is going nowhere, but should his opposite number Diego Simeone decide he wants to sign the little Spaniard it may be difficult for Arsenal to keep him after Cazorla’s representatives have already told Simeone that a deal is there to be done.
Cazorla only has one year remaining on his current contract, and given Arsenals policy of only offering one-year extensions to players over 30 there is a very strong possibility that Cazorla will leave, and especially so should Atletico offer him a three-year deal.
