Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira tops a three-man shortlist of potential signings Vincenzo Italiano would like to see Fiorentina make in the summer window, per Corriere dello Sport.
La Viola are currently on a retreat as Italiano strives to shape his new side into his preferred 4-3-3 system. The former Spezia boss took charge at the Artemio Franchi Stadium at the start of the month. But only believes he has 10 of the 11 needed members for his plans.
The sole role Italiano believes Fiorentina lack is a player who dictates the engine room as Erick Pulgar would have to be moulded into the role. So, Sporting Director Daniele Prade has monitored the market for alternatives, and has found three that suit Italiano’s system.
Fiorentina are looking into potential deals for Arsenal’s Torreira, Inter Milan’s Stefano Sensi and Koln’s Ellyes Skhiri. Of the trio, Torreira currently tops Italiano’s shortlist and is also a previous target of Prade. Only if La Viola fail with the Uruguayan may they look elsewhere.
Italiano making Torreira his top target represents an increase in Fiorentina’s interest in the Arsenal midfielder. Corriere dello Sport reported earlier this month the Tuscan outfit were considering four options, with Niklas Dorsch of Gent and Matteo Ricci instead of Skhiri.
La Viola would have also taken great satisfaction in beating Lazio to signing Torreira. And are now, seemingly, ramping up their recruitment of the 25-year-old Calciomercato claim Maurizio Sarri instructed the Biancocelesti to sign after replacing Simone Inzaghi last month.
Torreira was close to joining Lazio at the end of June, per Corriere dello Sport, as well. The £75,000-per-week enforcer was even accepting a pay cut to join, as the Biancocelesti only offered him a £50k-p/w deal.
Arsenal could stop Italiano getting his top Fiorentina target in Torreira
But what stopped Lazio signing Torreira from Arsenal could still see Fiorentina fail to acquire Italiano’s top target. The Gunners demanded Sarri paid £17m with at least 50% offered as an upfront instalment. The Biancocelesti, however, preferred a loan with an option to buy.
Fiorentina are yet to make their move and outline how far Italiano’s budget will stretch to sign Torreira from Arsenal. The midfielder’s will to leave the Emirates Stadium could help as exit routes shorten, but money talks.
And if the money is not enough, Mikel Arteta may have to bring the wantaway technician back into his plans. Which would not be the worst thing, as Diego Simeone hailed him for giving ‘absolutely everything’, via Marca, during his loan at Atletico Madrid last season.
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