if i was mikel arteta or any of our top players i would be looking at targets like this and i would maybe reconsider my future at everton , as i would feel the board and manager are not targeting players that match mine and the fans ambition.
I think this year will be Mikels last myself, nothing sinister i just think his contract and the way his life has developed recently will mean he will want to put down roots somewhere familiar to his family for stability i.e. Spain.