Three transfer targets, and only one can arrive. It feels rather appropriate that one of Gennaro Gattuso’s first priorities since taking over at La Liga giants Valencia is to find a new defensive midfielder.
Gattuso, after all, is one of the most iconic ankle-biters of the 21st century. And it’s not hard to imagine that the former Italy international sees a bit of himself in Lucas Torreira.
Of course, an agreement with the player does not mean there is an agreement with the club. Bentancur admits that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to have a closer look at Torreira – who played some of his best football in years on loan at Fiorentina last season – during pre-season.
Small in stature but giant in spirit, AS say that Arsenal’s £26 million forgotten man is Valencia’s top priority as the search heats up.
Will Lucas Torreira leave Arsenal for Valencia?
“We have a pre-agreement with Gattuso for Torreira to play in Valencia,” the Uruguayan’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, tells Sport890 after a move to Fiorentina collapsed.
“(On Tuesday) there is an important meeting on this issue.”
Though, with Arsenal reportedly closing in on Oleksandr Zinchenko and with Mo Elneny staying, it’s hard to imagine Torreira will be too enamoured about the idea of returning to his benchwarming role in North London.
“My idea is to go and play in Italy or Spain,” Torreira said in June, via TMW. “There is no chance that I will stay at Arsenal.”
According to AS, Valencia are hoping to take the £13 million-rated Torreira on loan, while including an option-to-buy clause in his contract.
Torreira, Winks or Diallo?
Torreira is not the only Premier League misfit on Gattuso’s radar. Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Winks is another; A player who’s dwindling World Cup hopes appear to rest almost solely on his ability to find a way out of his North London holding cell between now and September. Ibrahima Diallo of Southampton is another target.
What gives Torreira the edge over Winks and Diallo however – at least in the eyes of Gattuso – is his experience in a number of different leagues. The new Los Che boss wants a player au fait with different footballing cultures. Torreira ticks that particular box in thick marker pen.
The former Sampdoria and Atletico Madrid man spent 10 months in Spain during the 2020/21 season too. Winks, in contrast, has never strayed outside of his own postcode. Diallo’s footballing experience, meanwhile, is limited to England and France.
Three transfer targets, and only one can arrive. If Gattuso gets his way, it’ll be Torreira.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
