Arsenal target Lucas Torreira praised by Luis Suarez

The midfielder is set to join 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, reached the Carabao Cup final and the Europa League semi-final.

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 is expected to be busy in the summer transfer window in order to strengthen the squad for next season.

One of the key areas the Gunners need to resolve is their midfield, Santi Cazaorla have left the club after his contract expired, Jack Wilshere likely to leave the club on a free agent and Aaron Ramsey’s future is still uncertain as he could be sold in order to raise funds which leaves them short in that area.

Arsenal are on the verge of signing Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria for £26.4 million according to Guardian. They have now exceeded Torreira’s release clause in order to beat Napoli to the signing and will complete the deal imminently.

The Premier League club have offered him a five-year deal and are confident that he will sign it.

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

The midfielder has been praised by his national teammate Luis Suarez, who has been following him.

“We played Sampdoria once,” said Suarez. “I was surprised by the young lad who had been in the middle of the park for the whole match.

“After that evening, I learned he was Uruguayan, and from that moment, I started to follow him a bit in Serie A.

“He surprised me, he’s improved a lot and been playing at a very high level.

“He came on the scene at a very young age, when it’s not at all easy to assert yourself, but he succeeded in performing at a high level.”