Premier League giants Arsenal have seen a £17 million bid for Lazio schemer Joaquin Correa rejected by the Serie A outfit and could now offer Lucas Torreira as a makeweight, as reported by Rome-based publication Il Messaggero.
With an alleged £250 million budget burning a hole in Mikel Arteta’s back pocket, the Gunners have certainly stepped things up on the transfer front over the last couple of days.
Since the start of last week, Arsenal have launched bids for Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Sambi ‘the new Axel Witsel’ Lokonga.
And while none of those offers have been accepted (Arsenal will need to double their offer for Ramsdale), at least an increasingly disillusioned fanbase can sleep a little easier knowing that efforts are being made to reinforce a side which missed out on European football for the first time in 25 years last term.
While Arsenal appear to be prioritising a commanding centre-half, a box-to-box midfielder and a potential Bernd Leno replacement, there is also room at the Emirates for a number ten capable of stepping into Martin Odegaard’s shoes.
Will Lucas Torreira leave Arsenal in Joaquin Correa swap?
While Correa is hardly a like-for-like replacement – he is more of a dribbler than a distributor – Arsenal have tested the waters with an initial £17 million offer.
Lazio were never likely to accept such a lowball bid.
The former Sevilla speedster has a £70 million release clause in his contract and is understood to be valued at £30 million – minimum.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old Argentine international wants a fresh start and, with his agent actively encouraging offers from elsewhere, Arsenal should have been given enough persuasion to raise their offer and make a follow-up bid.
Il Messagero believe that forgotten man Lucas Torreira could be used as a makeweight in the deal too.
Arsenal would pay £13 million while letting the former Atletico Madrid loanee move in the other direction.
While undeniably talented – Correa tore apart AC Milan just a few months ago – consistency remains elusive for one of the most gifted yet frustrating footballers in the whole of Italy.
Is Arteta really the man to take Correa to the next level?
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