LUCAS TORREIRA has been told to leave Arsenal this summer with the Uruguayan keen on a return to Serie A, according to reports. The Gunners midfielder, 25, was loaned out to Atletico Madrid last season following the arrival of Thomas Partey. Despite Mikel Arteta making it clear Torreira was not in his plans, the former […]
LUCAS TORREIRA has been told to leave Arsenal this summer with the Uruguayan keen on a return to Serie A, according to reports.
The Gunners midfielder, 25, was loaned out to Atletico Madrid last season following the arrival of Thomas Partey.
Despite Mikel Arteta making it clear Torreira was not in his plans, the former Sampdoria star had vowed to break back into the Arsenal set-up this summer.
But after being told his time at the Emirates was up, the 31-cap Uruguay star is now targeting a return to Italy, according to football.london.
Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur has revealed his client is keen on a move back to Serie A having spent three years at Sampdoria and two at Pescara.
Roma and Lazio are both believed to be keen on him, but only on loan.
Arsenal are keen to sell a host of deadwood players to recoup the £120million spent on the likes of Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Albert Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners could be tempted by a loan-to-buy option, though.
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Torreira is under contract in North London until the end of the 2022-23 season.
His departure could leave Arteta worryingly short come January when Partey and Mohamed Elneny fly off for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, new signing Odegaard, 22, will not be available for this weekend’s clash against Chelsea.
Gunners fans had hoped the returning attacking midfielder would be ready.
But club bosses were unable to complete the paperwork in time, with Emile Smith Rowe set to continue in the No10 role on Sunday.
Arsenal have a dilemma in attack with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang racing to be ready for the clash after missing the opening-day defeat to Brentford following a positive coronavirus test.
Willian is also hoping to have recovered, but Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out.
Bukayo Saka is likely to start with Gabriel Martinelli set to take over from Folarin Balogun in attack if captain Aubamayeng is not ready.
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