Arsenal are searching for a new sporting director, and former midfielder Santi Cazorla could be a shock option.
Cazorla is still playing for Spanish Second Division side Real Oviedo, but with his contract up at the end of the season, his future is far from certain.
Edu Gaspar recently left his role as Arsenal’s sporting director, and the club are looking for a replacement.
Tomas Rosicky has been linked with a return, whilst Arsenal are also admirers of Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes.
Despite still playing, Cazorla has just played a crucial role in a transfer, and this is a promising sign if he is to ever become a sporting director.
Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla plays huge role in Real Oviedo transfer
Real Oviedo have just signed free agent Francisco Portillo in a shock move, as the veteran left Leganes at the end of last season.
When asked how his move materialised, Portillo revealed that Cazorla played a “fundamental” role in initiating the deal.
“Cazorla was the one who started the conversations with me and then my agents and Real Oviedo themselves came in,” Portillo told Mundo Deportivo, and admitted that he had to be “very convinced” over the move.
“There was predisposition on the part of everyone. “I thought I was going to renew [with Leganes].”
Cazorla played alongside Portillo at Malaga before he moved to Arsenal, and he could end up reuniting with another former teammate in Mikel Arteta.
Santi Cazorla wants Arsenal sporting director role
A return to Arsenal in a non-sporting role seems inevitable for Cazorla at some point, and this could be his perfect opportunity, with the Spaniard previously admitting his desire to take a sporting director role.
“I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal]. You would have to ask the fans, but I want to thank everyone,” he told The Standard in 2020.
“I don’t know what I will do next, maybe a coach, maybe a sports director, but I would like to come back.”
Whilst Arsenal fans would love to see Cazorla back in some capacity, many may be concerned if he was to immediately replace Edu as sporting director, but he technically does have some transfer experience in what he is currently doing at Real Oviedo.
Even if Arsenal do hire another director, if Cazorla does retire from football at the end of the season, then an Emirates return cannot be ruled out.
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