Lucas Torreira has explained, via Corriere dello Sport, how a chat with Fiorentina Sporting Director Daniele Prade convinced him to leave Arsenal during the summer transfer market.
The Uruguayan returned to the Serie A in late-August after agreeing an initial loan, with a £13m option to buy. Arsenal allowed Torreira to join Fiorentina as the midfielder did not feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans for the 2021/22 campaign.
Torreira last turned out in north London in July 2020 before joining Atletico Madrid on loan last season. He won La Liga with the Colchoneros, but only started five of his 26 outings in all competitions. The 25-year-old could make his Fiorentina debut at Atalanta next week.
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano chose against fielding Torreira against Torino before the international break, with the Arsenal midfielder a substitute. The 31-cap international hopes to make the most of his time at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, after rejecting other offers. As Prade proved enticing as he sought a return to the Serie A after three years away.
“I always told my agent I wanted to return to Italy,” Torreira said. “There were other offers, but what convinced me most was the call from the director, Prade, who helped me a lot.
“I believed his word [and] I’m happy to be here. In the last month, I have talked more with him than with my father. We have been talking about Fiorentina for many years, I want to make the most of this experience now that I am here.”
Arsenal loanee Torreira confident of Fiorentina role under Italiano
As well as speaking regularly with Prade before leaving Arsenal, Torreira is confident of his Fiorentina role under Italiano. The midfielder has a good understanding of what the Viola boss expects of his players from his time at Spezia before moving to Tuscany this summer.
“I watch Italian football even if I am out,” Torreira added. “[Italiano] did well in La Spezia. He screams a lot, and he is behind it. I am a director who always likes to play the ball. The coach likes to use the halfback a lot, it’s an important role for me. I did it for two years at Sampdoria with [Marco] Giampaolo. I play both in a two-man and three-man midfield.”
Arsenal will be hoping Torreira gels with Italiano quickly so Fiorentina elect to trigger their option to buy next summer. With Arteta at the helm, the Gunners’ £26m signing from 2018 is unlikely to have a future in north London. But he could in Tuscany with a strong season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
