Serie A outfit Fiorentina are ready to hand Lucas Torreira a four-year deal as the Arsenal midfielder prepares to bid farewell to his Premier League employers, as reported by Corriere dello Sport.
We assume that Torreira’s departure, when it’s made official, will stir up some rather bittersweet feelings among many in North London.
And while Arsenal will make a big loss on a player who joined after impressing at the 2018 World Cup, a £13 million windfall is hardly a bad result for a player no longer part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
But there remains a nagging feeling that Torreira could have achieved so much more in North London.
Not so long ago, the diminutive, ball-winning dynamo looked like the solution to Arsenal’s long-running midfield problems.
“They’ve been crying out for someone like him since Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira,” quipped Arsenal legend Paul Merson in 2018.
Three-and-a-half years on from his £26 million arrival, Torreira will depart via the back door, shunted unceremoniously towards the exit.
Has Lucas Torreira played his final game for Arsenal?
According to Corriere dello Sport, Fiorentina will hand the former Sampdoria snapper a four-year deal at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
“You know my thoughts very well,” explains Fiorentina director Daniele Prade.
“We’re delighted with Lucas. We will speak in March or April with Arsenal, a club with whom we have a great relationship.”
Torreira, who was bafflingly utilised as a number ten by Unai Emery, could still come in very handy as far as Arteta is concerned.
Arsenal are desperate to bring one of the planet’s most coveted young talents – the free-scoring Dusan Vlahovic – to the Emirates. Torreira, then, may be a useful bargaining chip.
A sweeter in the deal, if you like.
Torreira has been joined in Italy this month by Pablo Mari (Udinese) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Roma).
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