Arsenal close to agreeing a deal for Lucas Torreira

Gunners hoping to seal the deal before next week

Arsenal endured an underwhelming season as they failed to win any silverware in Arsene Wenger’s final campaign. They finished 6th in the Premier League and will miss the Champions League next season.

Unai Emery has been appointed as the new manager of the Gunners and is charged with the task of returning the club to the European elite while challenging for major honours.

The Spaniard has targeted a defensive midfielder ahead of the next season. Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere were released by the club after their contracts expired leaving them short in that area.

The lack of a natural screening presence behind Granit Xhaka or Aaron Ramsey has often seemed to unbalance the team in recent seasons. The club prioritized the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira and have been in talks with the club for him since before the World Cup in Russia started.

The Uruguayan joined the Italian side from Pescara in 2015 but remained with them on loan for the rest of the season. He returned in the upcoming season and established himself as a regular for them.

He continued to show his importance in the 2017/2018 campaign and became a key player at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. He managed to score 4 goals and provided 1 assist in 38 appearances in all competitions.

The 22 year old has been impressive for Uruguay and has featured in all of their 4 matches. He played full 90 minutes as they beat Portugal 2-1 and will face France in the Quarter-finals on July 6.

Arsenal are nearing the end of negotiations to bring in Torreira from Sampdoria, reports the Daily Mail . The £25 million fee for the Uruguay international is close to being agreed and the club hopes to finalize the deal before the next week.

Though the Premier League giants likely to officially announce him after the world cup is over. He could become the club’s third signing this summer, after signing full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner and goalkeeper Bernd Leno.