In surprising transfer news considering he is set for ankle surgery, Santi Cazorla has been linked with a possible reunion with former boss Manuel Pellegrini at Hebei China Fortune.

The creative midfielder, who has not featured since mid-October after sustaining an Achilles injury, is yet to recover from his latest setback and will travel to Sweden next week for surgery.

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla (R) vies with Burnley's Scottish midfielder George Boyd (2nd R), Burnley's Irish defender Stephen Ward (2nd L) and Burnley's Belgian midfielder Steven Defour (L) during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on October 2, 2016. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla (R) vies with Burnley’s Scottish midfielder George Boyd (2nd R), defender Stephen Ward (2nd L) and Belgian midfielder Steven Defour (L) during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on October 2, 2016. (Picture source: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP / Getty Images)

However, a recent report suggests Pellegrini is interested in signing the Spaniard for his side. Having played under the Chilean at both Villarreal (2007-09) and Malaga in the 2011-12 campaign, he is under the watchful eye of his former manager.

Malaga's Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (R) talks with midfielder Santiago Cazorla (2R) during the Spanish league football match Malaga CF vs Villarreal on November 28, 2011 at Rosaleda stadium in Malaga. AFP PHOTO/ JORGE GUERRERO (Photo credit should read Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images)
Malaga’s Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (R) talks with midfielder Santiago Cazorla (2R) during the Spanish league football match between Malaga CF vs Villarreal on November 28, 2011 at Rosaleda stadium in Malaga. (Picture source: Jorge Guerrero / AFP / Getty Images)

Pellegrini’s new side, which he joined towards the end of August, have already filled their foreign quota of four players in their squad. As a result, they’d need to offload at least one in order to sign Cazorla. That’s assuming he’d be interested in a lucrative move to China.

Arsenal’s former forward Gervinho is one of the club’s notable players, and it’s not hard to believe that the Ivorian would be involved in some way to try and persuade Santi to join him outside of Europe.

The prospect of a possible deal though, is highly unlikely. He has already stressed his eagerness to get back fit and playing for Arsenal, whilst speculation about a possible contract extension is potentially on the cards, provided he proves his fitness after recovering.