According to latest reports, Lucas Torreira is set to leave Arsenal this summer with concrete interest coming from Valencia CF. The Uruguayan midfielder has agreed to join the La Liga side, but looks set to stay at the Emirates for the time being.
The former Sampdoria man joined Arsenal in 2018 and was one of the starters under previous manager Unai Emery, but he has been out of the limelight ever since Mikel Arteta became the first-team manager. The Uruguayan moved to Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan spell in 2020-21, but failed to make the desired impact during his time in Spain.
The 26-year-old spent the 2021-22 season on loan away at ACF Fiorentina. He had an impressive spell with the Italian outfit, netting five times and assisting twice in 35 appearances (stats via Transfermarkt) across all competitions last season. Thus, it was expected that the Serie A side would convert his loan move into a permanent deal at the end of the season.
However, Fiorentina opted out of the deal as they were unwilling to pay the asking price mentioned in the player’s contract. The Italian club believed that the amount noted in the option-to-buy clause was too high.
The defensive midfielder has now returned to the Emirates and is part of the Gunners squad for the pre-season tour of the United States. However, the player is adamant on leaving the Emirates this summer and his agent is actively looking for a new club.
Now, as reported by The Evening Standard, Valencia are in pole position to sign Lucas Torreira. The 26-year-old has reportedly reached an agreement to join the Spanish side this summer. Pablo Bentacur, the midfielder’s agent, has revealed that Torreira has agreed to a pre-contract offer with Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
The player’s agent revealed that the Valencia manager is keen on bringing Lucas Torreira to the Mestalla Stadium. While speaking to Sport 890 via Evening Standard, Bentancur underlined Torreira’s situation:
“We have a pre-agreement with Gattuso for Torreira to play in Valencia.”
“Arsenal coach Arteta wants to have him in the pre-season. He had great numbers with Arsenal but we have pre-agreement with Valencia.”
Lucas Torreira’s agent Bentancur: “We have reached an agreement with Valencia, Gattuso wants him. We are gonna discuss with Arsenal – Arteta wants to see him in the pre season”, tells 100% Deporte. 🔴🇺🇾 #AFC
“He had great numbers with AFC but we’ve pre agreement with Valencia”. pic.twitter.com/ciWaWMXOjC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2022
The Uruguayan has been linked with a number of European clubs. Recently, AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho held talks with the midfielder regarding a move back to Italy while another Serie A side, Lazio, were also reportedly interested in signing the player.
Torreira has entered the last 12 months of his contract with the North London side. Despite Arteta’s wishes, the defensive midfielder has insisted that he has no future at Arsenal. He has further made it clear by highlighting his situation at the Emirates while speaking to El Telegrafo (via Sports Mole):
“There is no chance. From the beginning, they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either because I suffered a lot, it cost me a lot to adapt and my idea is to go to Italy or Spain.”
“We’ll look for a new direction. Any team that wants me has to buy me, which would be around €15m (£12.9m).”
Read More:
- Arsenal Accelerate Negotiations for €55 Million Rated Premier League Midfielder, Talks Progressing
- Arsenal Keeping Tabs on €20m Rated Bundesliga Centre-back as an Alternative to William Saliba
- Italian Side Turn Down Arsenal’s Initial Offer for €70m Rated Star Midfielder, Club Preparing New Bid
The Uruguay international is seemingly looking for a way out and it is certain that he doesn’t want to stay at the Emirates beyond the summer. Valencia closed the Samu Castillejo deal, who was unveiled as a new signing recently, and Lucas Torreira could probably become the second signing for Gennaro Gattuso.
Follow AD for the Latest Transfer Updates for Arsenal.
