For the thousandth time, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Steven N’Zonzi, but the rumours are looking more tenuous than ever.

2Pablo Fornals

VALENCIA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 04: Pablo Fornals of Malaga CF celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and Malaga CF at Mestalla stadium on December 4, 2016 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
  • Age: 23
  • Position: Attacking Midfield
  • Club: Villarreal
  • Contract until: 2022
  • Estimated market value: £27m

TeamTalk recently claimed in an exclusive that the Gunners face competition from Manchester City and Spurs for the 23-year-old Villarreal star. They write that Arsenal even considered a move in January. That didn’t end up happening, of course, presumably due to the financial restrictions in the winter window.

However, TeamTalk claim Fornals knows he could earn more by moving to the Premier League than any of his other options, and his €25m release clause is proving appealing to all three English sides.

Arsenal have been linked with Fornals for some time now. In fact, he was once named as a possible Santi Cazorla replacement long before we even knew Santi would be leaving.

An established first-team regular with Malaga before paying his own release clause of £10m to join Villarreal in 2017, Fornals has four goals and four assists this season in 35 games. He’s an attacking midfielder with a strong shot from distance, who loves a tackle and is able to hold onto the ball well.

The Spaniard also currently wears the number 8 in Spain, a shirt which will be up for grabs in North London this summer.

Click ‘Next’ for more possible midfield signings this summer