Newcastle United look well set for an instant return to the Premier League and Rafa Benitez could be tempted to move for an Arsenal star.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
The Magpies are three points clear of second placed Brighton at the top of the Championship with 10 games to go.
And Benitez’s side are nine clear of the play-off places as things stand.
It would take a disastrous collapse for the St James Park side not to bounce straight back to the big time.
But their experienced boss will be under no illusions that an influx of quality signings will be needed to avoid a repeat of the struggles which saw them demoted in the first place.
The club is already being linked with a host of players ahead of what promises to be a busy summer of recruitment.
And one potential free transfer could prove difficult to resist for the Spaniard in the shape of Arsenal’s soon to be out of contract midfield gem Santi Cazorla.
The injury-prone playmaker has been sorely missed by the Gunners during their struggles this season.
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla
But having been ruled out until the end of the season there are doubts over whether Benitez’s compatriot will be handed a new deal, particularly with Arsene Wenger’s future so uncertain and the fact he turns 33 this year.
Cazorla would provide exactly the kind of experience and guile Newcastle need at the top level and it could prove quite a coup if Benitez can pull it off.
Cazorla is just one of several Premier League stars potentially available on a Bosman free this summer and the earlier the Magpies get promotion wrapped up, it will give them a huge advantage when it comes to forging ahead in getting some deals up and running.
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