Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla has confirmed that his former side Arsenal have been in contact about a move for winger Samuel Chukwueze.

Chukwueze has caught the eye this season with his La Liga employers, scoring four goals and assisting four others in 26 appearances in all competitions.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with Liverpool in the past few weeks, with the Reds said to be keen to add cover for the absences of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane next January.

Indeed, reports have claimed that Jurgen Klopp has “fallen in love” with the 20-year-old and his side have had a €35million bid rejected by Villarreal.

Speaking to Spanish news outlet Marca, however, Cazorla has opened up on how Arsenal have held discussions over Chukwueze, as well as defender Pau Torres.

“They [Arsenal] ask me about them and think they can make the jump to the Premiership tomorrow,” the 35-year-old said.

“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.”

Arsenal have added key reinforcements to their attack in recent months, including the purchase of Nicolas Pepe from Lille and the promotion of youngster Bukayo Saka to the first team.

However, Mikel Arteta has been linked with carrying out a summer overhaul at the Emirates, with strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both at risk of leaving.

Such an overhaul will lead to Arsenal looking for additions up top, with Chukwueze a potentially exciting signing.

Liverpool could look to add cover up front with Salah and Mane both set to be absent next January as they go on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt and Senegal, respectively.

In other news, Salah has said that himself and his Liverpool teammates are feeling well-rested ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Norwich City.

The Reds continue their hunt for the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years at Carrow Road, having had the best part of two weeks off during the mid-season break.

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