The player is closing on a move to the Gunners
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.
It is believed that the player has agreed to move to Emirates Stadium though he is yet to undergo a medical. He is reportedly to cost around £25 million.
Arsenal legend Robert Pires has been impresses by his displays for his National team.
He said as quoted by Daily Star: “I like Torreira a lot. I was surprised by his performance.
“He plays it simple and is always well positioned on the pitch.”
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