David Seaman has wished Lucas Torreira ‘good luck’ as the Uruguay international closes in on signing for Super Lig giants Galatasaray in a permanent deal from Arsenal this summer.
David Seaman reacts as Galatasaray close in on signing Lucas Torreira of Arsenal
Galatasaray are now closing in on their deal to sign Lucas Torreira in a permanent transfer from Arsenal. And David Seaman has told Sky Sports News (06/08, 09:45) that he hopes it proves a beneficial switch for the midfielder after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.
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Reports by Sky Sports note Cimbom are in advanced negotiations with the Gunners over a transfer. Arteta is prepared to let Torreira leave the Emirates Stadium during the summer sales, having now entered the final 12 months of his contract after two years out on loan.
Torreira spent the 2020/21 campaign in Spain with Atletico Madrid while they won La Liga. But his efforts in the Spanish capital did not result in a recall, and Arsenal instead sent the 26-year-old back to Italy. Yet a successful spell with Fiorentina has not prevented his exit.
The Serie A side afforded Torreira 31 league appearances, in which he registered five goals and two assists. But his hopes for securing a permanent transfer to Florence collapsed, for what Torreira told El Telegrafo were ‘various problems’ during negotiations with Arsenal.
Arsenal taking huge hit to offload Unai Emery signing this summer
Arsenal are taking a huge hit on the £26m fee Unai Emery paid Sampdoria to sign Torreira in 2018. Fabrizio Romano notes Galatasaray are only paying around €6-7m (£5-6m) for his arrival in Istanbul. The Gunners are also prepared to get the deal done as soon as possible.
Seaman hopes the move to Super Lig sees Torreira find a new home where he can enjoy a consistent role. The 39-cap dynamo made 89 appearances with Arsenal, but only started in 41 of his 63 Premier League appearances from a potential 67 games through two seasons.
“The fans loved his energy and they’ve got a soft spot for him,” Seaman said. “If it does work out for him, then good for him because he’s not played for a while.
“Whenever you’re a player, you need game time as you need that experience. You need to make the decisions that you have to make in a game regular. But, yeah, good luck to him if he goes there.”
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