Arsenal could be about to make their most exciting signing of the summer with a deal for a Serie A midfielder said to be on the horizon.
The Gunners have lost Santi Cazorla this summer and have been lacking a defensive midfielder for some time. This signing is said to be a defensive midfielder with the brain of Cazorla. That’s a very exciting prospect, isn’t it?
The player in question is 22-year-old Lucas Torreira, who currently plays for Sampdoria and will feature for Uruguay in the World Cup which kicks off in a few days. Arsenal are keen to get this deal over the line before the midfielder potentially attracts more attention at the competition.
This move will perhaps show more of what Sven Mislintat is made of, with his previous acquisitions already well-known players, bar Mavropanos.
Unai Emery is also said to be a huge fan of Torreira, who is a very energetic midfielder and energy is something that Emery is keen to spread throughout this Arsenal team.
The obvious drawback of Torreira is his height, standing at just 5ft 6′, but much like N’Golo Kante and Cazorla, he is deceptively strong for his size.
Reports on Tuesday from several Italian sources have confirmed that an agreement is now in place and the Gunners could make an announcement as early as next week, despite Torreira currently being in Russia.
The BBC have also confirmed talks tonight.
As widely reported Arsenal in talks to sign Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. No agreement but central midfield a priority & 22yo Uruguay int’l seen as ideal fit technically + financially. #AFC also want a GK after defensive signings of Lichtsteiner & Sokratis (announced July)
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) June 12, 2018
Arsenal are also set to sign Sokratis from Dortmund and the club are beleived to be still in the market for a goalkeeper, winger and potentially another central defender depending on departures, as Calum Chambers could leave.