Spain international winger Santi Cazorla on Wednesday rejected Real Madrid's offer and decided to stay with his current club Villarreal.

On Tuesday, Cazorla was caught on camera holding a phone conversation with Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas about his move to the Spanish capital.

Madrid had set their sights on the 23-year-old as a replacement for Robson Da Souza Robinho who is on the verge of a move to Chelsea.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, Cazorla appeared in a Wednesday afternoon press conference with Villarreal president Fernando Roig to announce he would be staying with his current club.

"The thing is that I feel important for the club, that made me consider a lot of things. I really value the effort the club has made and I didn't take long to make a decision that I feel is the correct one. I am very happy to continue at my home," Cazorla told the packed press conference.

Roig meanwhile was delighted to have been able to withstand Madrid's overtures for a key player.

"He is a super-important player for us. We have all made an effort to keep him and I am very satisfied to have been able to retain such an important player," he said.

Real Madrid will now try to sign Valencia striker David Villa before the transfer window shuts on Sept. 1.

Source:Xinhua