Arsenal target is currently focused on the World Cup

He has been widely tipped to be Gunners next signing

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.

He has already completed the signings of defender Stephan Lichtsteiner and goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The Spaniard has targeted a defensive midfielder ahead of the next season. Both Santi Cazorlan and Jack Wilshere have left the club after their contracts expired which leaves them short in that area.

Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira has been widely tipped as the club’s next signing and there were speculation that they were ready to offer him a five year contract.

The 22 year old hasbeen a key player at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris and is ranked among the best defensive midfielders in the league. He has been included in the World Cup squad for the tournament in Russia this summer.

Club’s president Massimo Ferrero even claimed that the Uruguayan has left the club to join Arsenal for €30 million. He will leave for the Premier League once the World Cup has finished.

“Sampdoria do not sell unless there are excellent offers,” Ferrero told SportItaliaGoal as quoted by .

“We do not look for buyers. We have natural talents whose values increase exponentially.

“Sampdoria is a stepping stone. It’s a family-run club and that allows players to grow up. It’s normal they have aspirations to play for big clubs, but I do not need to sell out.

“Torreira has left for €30 million. I bought him from Pescara when no one believed.

“We bet and we won, paying just €3 million. The money that comes in is used to keep the club going.

“Sampdoria is a stepping stone. It’s a family-run club and that allows players to grow up.”

But the Uruguay midfielder is currently focused on the World Cup. When asked if a transfer was complete, Torreira told reporters as quoted by Goal: “I don’t know. At the moment, the most important thing is playing for my country.

“Arsenal are a good team, one of the most important in the world, but at this moment I am focused on playing for my country.”