Santi Cazorla says Arsenal ‘especially’ keep in contact with him over the futures of Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze at Villarreal.

Nigeria's forward Samuel Chukwueze celebrates the win during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at Cairo international stadium on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Nigeria’s forward Samuel Chukwueze celebrates the win during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at Cairo international stadium on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Former Gunner Santi Cazorla currently plays for Villarreal alongside young talents Samuel Chukwueze (20) and Pau Torres (23). There’s a lot of interest in both players from outside the club, something Cazorla knows well.

Speaking to Marca, Cazorla admitted he does receive calls over the two players. He named friends at his former team as the main culprits in that regard.

“Yes, friends from Arsenal especially,” Cazorla confirmed. “They ask me about them and think they can make the jump to the Premier League tomorrow.

“It’s good that great teams are interested in young players from Villarreal, but for the moment I tell them to leave them alone here. They still have to take steps forward. They both have a great personality, and their feet are on the ground.

“In Pau’s case he hears constant talk of [Manchester] City or Barcelona, but he is aware that he has to keep growing as a player and that in the future we will see where he can go.”

Chukwueze is a young forward Arsenal actually tried to sign a few years ago. They wanted to bring him in at the same time as Kelechi Nwakali, but they couldn’t push it through.

Playing mostly on the right-wing, the 20-year-old has four goals, two assists and two penalties won leading to goals this season. His biggest strength is his dribbling and he can also play on the left.

As for Torres, he’s a centre-back and a nailed-on starter when available. Right now, he’s suffering from a muscle injury keeping him out of the last few games.

Until that injury in late January though, he played every single minute of Villarreal’s La Liga campaign. He made his debut for Spain, kept a clean sheet and scored in November, and it’s probably no surprise some big clubs are looking at him.