Atletico Madrid consider Arsenal star Santi Cazorla to replace Chelsea target Arda Turan

Chelsea and Manchester United interest in Arda Turan could mean a massive blow for Arsenal, as Spanish newspaper AS claims Atletico Madrid have Santi Cazorla among the candidates to replace the Turkish international.

Even though the 30-year-old Spain international has become one of the most important players for Arsene Wenger since his arrival from Malaga in 2012, he has been linked with a move to the Vicente Calderon in recent months.

Diego Simeone is said to be a huge fan of the Spaniard and in February radio station Cadena Cope claimed that the Argentinian manager was ready to renew his effort to sign him ahead of next season – while suggesting the player was eager to return to his homeland and had already said 'yes' to a potential move.

However, the player denied those reports, saying he was looking forward the next season with the Gunners.

"I'm very happy here at Arsenal and I've got two more years on my contract. I only think about getting better at this club. I'm very happy here and I don't think about leaving right now," Cazorla said while Wenger named him as Arsenal's most consistent player of the season and handed him a centre stage at the launch of Arsenal's new Puma kit for the new season.

But AS now claims that Turan's expected departure from the Vicente Calderon during the summer transfer window may lead to a turnaround in the situation.

It reports that the Turkish international is in negotiations with Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain regarding a summer move, while Turan himself has already confirmed he is likely to leave the Calderon.

AS claim that the Arsenal star is one of the desired players by Simeone to replace Turan, alongside Yevhen Konoplyanka, former Chelsea star Kevin De Buryne and Barcelona's Pedro.

The suspected €41m (£29m) fee Atletico will pocket for Turan makes it a lot easier for them to financially manoeuvre their way into a Cazorla bid.