EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has some work to do in the summer transfer window, but he could end up missing out on £15m which might have been put towards new signings
The Gunners look set to miss out on a £15million windfall, with Fiorentina set to pass on the opportunity to sign on-loan midfielder Lucas Torreira.
The Uruguay international is under contract with the Gunners until 2023 and has seen the funny side after losing his No.11 shirt to Gabriel Martinelli for next term.
After an impressive first half of the season, there had been suggestions he might be used in a part-exchange deal for January transfer target Dusan Vlahovic, only for the striker to leave Florence to join Juventus.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side reportedly had an option to make the loan deal permanent, and all the pieces appeared to be in place.
However, the 26-year-old has featured a little less in recent weeks and all signs point towards him returning to north London.
According to several sources in Italy, an agreement had been reached with Torreira’s agent but a deal will not go through. There have been suggestions that Viola attempted to secure a discount on both transfer fees and salary.
Torreira has started just two of Fiorentina’s last six games, completing 90 minutes on only one occasion.
Journalist Matteo Moretto reports that his brief run-out against Juventus on Saturday was “so as not to activate an economic bonus”.
The former Sampdoria man has five goals to his name this season – more than he managed across two seasons with Arsenal’s first team – and two assists.
FURTHER READING
Even if Fiorentina are out of the running, there is expected to be interest from other parties, though it’s unclear how much the Gunners will be able to recoup for a player who cost them a reported £26m back in 2018.
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