Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira is an “excellent player” capable of making a big impact at Serie A underachievers Fiorentina, former Viola ace Michele Gelsi has told Tuttomercatoweb.
As the boos echoed around the bowl of discontent that is the Emirates Stadium, it was tempting to wonder whether things would have worked out differently had a fit and firing Torreira been available to Mikel Arteta.
A tenacious, terrier-like ball-winner appeared to be exactly what Arsenal were missing as a dominant Chelsea side ran riot in north London, piercing Arteta’s undermanned midfield like a katana slicing through a ripe watermelon.
Unfortunately, Torreira is no longer part of the first-team picture these days, frozen out following Arteta’s appointment in late 2019.
And the Uruguay international has spent the best part of 12 months rattling the bars of his gilded cage, keeping himself warm on those lonely nights by dreaming of a return to his beloved Serie A.
And it appears his wish will soon come true.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Torreira will join Fiorentina on loan with a £13 million option-to-buy clause included in the deal.
Can Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira rediscover his form at Fiorentina?
“He is an excellent player,” says Gelsi, who started his career at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in 1989.
“I know him personally. He is a serious boy and has made great progress since his years at Pescara. (Torreira) would be an important player for the Viola midfield. He drives the team forward, he has personality and a good shot.
“He is perfect for Fiorentina’s needs.”
A soft-bellied Fiorentina side conceded 59 goals while battling the spectre of relegation last season.
If Torreira can rediscover the form he showed at Udinese, the tough-tackling dynamo could provide a sheet of much-needed steel in front of a vulnerable back line.
“He can play all the roles in midfield and give that spirit Fiorentina lacks,” Gelsi adds.
“In midfield there are sedate players like (Erick) Pulgar. He lacks that aggression someone like (Torreira) would provide.”
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