Lucas Torreira could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer after his agent, Pablo Bentancur, offered AC Milan the chance to sign the midfielder, according to La Repubblica.
Bentancur has approached the Rossoneri to sound out any interest in his client amid uncertainty over the San Siro engine room. Soualiho Meite has returned to Torino after a half-season loan spell, while Franck Kessie may be on the way out.
Milan are desperate to avoid losing Kessie for free in 2022 with his contract now in its final 12-months. Paolo Maldini wants to extend the Ivorian’s deal and avoid another leaving for nothing after Hakan Calhanoglu and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But Maldini is finding negotiations with Kessie and his representatives a challenge as they have vastly contrasting values in mind. And if no resolution can be found to the impasse, Milan could emerge as an option for Arsenal outcast Torreira.
The 25-year-old has returned to the Emirates Stadium this summer after spending last season on loan with Atletico Madrid. Yet his future is unlikely to be in north London, with Bentancur recently expressing his desires to leave.
“He wants to go back to Italy,” Bentancur told TuttoMercatoWEB. “They called me from France, Russia and Spain. But Lucas wants to embrace the Italian championship again to prove his worth again. Arsenal have understood the situation and will come to meet us.”
Torreira seemed set to have his wish granted, with Corriere dello Sport claiming the Arsenal midfielder would take a pay cut to join Lazio. He earns £75,000-per-week with the Gunners, but would pen a £50k-p/w deal with the Stadio Olimpico outfit.
AC Milan interest could help Arsenal offload Torreira
Milan are yet to approach Arsenal directly to discuss a deal for Torreira, but the Rossoneri could help the Gunners. Interest from the San Siro can force Lazio to advance their interest and pay the north Londoners’ asking price this summer.
Arsenal would demand €20m (£17m) to sell Torreira, Corriere dello Sport add, but would accept payment in two equal instalments. Yet Lazio are pushing to pay closer to €15m (£13m) with only a further €1m (£860k) in potential bonuses.
Lazio may fear missing out on their target to a Serie A rival with Milan desperate for new midfielders. So, Milan could help Arsenal get a better price for Torreira, even if the San Siro side are not interested in a deal.
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