‘Very important’: £26m signing explains why he needed to leave Arsenal

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Lucas Torreira admits regular first-team football in the build up to the Qatar World Cup was a key reason in his decision to join Galatasaray from Premier League leaders Arsenal over the summer, speaking to ESPN. 

With Mikel Arteta making it clear that Torreira was no longer part of his plans at the Emirates Stadium, and with Fiorentina opting against triggering the option-to-buy clause in their former loanee’s contract, the 26-year-old midfielder could not really afford to make a mistake with a place in Uruguay’s World Cup plans on the line. 

Given that he has now started 11 of Galatasaray’s last 12 Super Lig games, Torreira could be forgiven for patting himself on the back while toasting decision well made. 

His place in Uruguay’s final 26 was confirmed over the weekend. And, like compatriots Darwin Nunez, Fede Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur, he now heads to Qatar in excellent nick, having established himself as a key player at the Turkish giants.

Lucas Torreira left Arsenal for Galatasaray to aid his World Cup hopes

“I had to have continuity for the World Cup. So that’s why I decided to go to Turkey and Galatasaray,” Torreira explains. “Their project ended up convincing me. And it’s very important for a player like me to continue having continuity, as I had last season. 

“The call from Galatasaray came. (Gala and Uruguay goalkeeper) Fernando Musler was very important for me when making this decision.

“I also knew little about the country. (The Turkish Super Lig) is totally different league. I really liked the way the Galatasaray people (tried to convince me to sign); the project, the call from the coach (Okan Buruk) and the leaders. All of that helped me make this decision.” 

Torreira eventually joined Galatasaray for a bargain £5 million, four years after setting Arsenal back closer to £30 million following some eye-catching performances in the Russian World Cup.  

A place in Uruguay’s starting XI may be beyond him this time, however. In addition to Bentancur and Valverde, Torreira also has Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte and Lazio’s revitalised Matias Vecino for competition.