Arsenal in transfer kitty blow with Lucas Torreira’s £12.5m permanent move to Fiorentina on brink of collapse after loan

ARSENAL look set to miss out on £12.5million with Fiorentina struggling to stump up the fee to sign Lucas Torreira. The 26-year-old impressed during his loan spell in Florence during the 2021-22 season where he helped the club secure a Europa Conference League spot. He chipped in with five goals and two assists in 36 […]

ARSENAL look set to miss out on £12.5million with Fiorentina struggling to stump up the fee to sign Lucas Torreira.

The 26-year-old impressed during his loan spell in Florence during the 2021-22 season where he helped the club secure a Europa Conference League spot.

Reuters

Lucas Torreira looks set to be returning to Arsenal following his impressive Fiorentina loan spell[/caption]

He chipped in with five goals and two assists in 36 games in all competitions, with the midfielder winning Fiorentina’s player of the month award three times in 2022.

It had been thought that the Serie A outfit were willing to trigger their option to buy clause in Torreira’s contract.

And it would be a transfer welcomed by the Gunners as they look to cash in on him with the player having just a year left on his deal in North London.

But it is now believed that the Uruguay international is poised to return to England with Fiorentina unwilling to fork out £12.5m.

Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur has commented on the potential move, as he insisted it doesn’t look like happening.

Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via the Evening Standard, he said: “The chances of Lucas staying in Florence are very small – even if it’s not over yet.”

He then told CalcioNapoli24: “The issue between him and the Viola is a contractual problem, it won’t take much to clarify with Fiorentina and my priority is to find an agreement with them.

“For now, he is not thinking about other teams because he is very happy in Florence and is loved by the fans.

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“The problem is only contractual, [agent] commissions have nothing to do with it.”

According to Corriere dello Sport, Fiorentina have until Tuesday to thrash out an agreement with Arsenal.

But they state that it is unlikely that the Italian club will exercise their buy option.

Torreira has been deemed as surplus to requirement by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who offloaded the ex-Sampdoria man to Atletico Madrid on loan last campaign.

And it appears he still doesn’t have a role in his squad after his No11 shirt was handed to Gabriel Martinelli.

It prompted Torreira to joke on social media: “What number will I wear next year? Good luck amigo @gabriel.martinelli. I love you.”