Arsenal are long overdue a midfield signing with Francis Coquelin sold off at the start of the year and Jack Wilshere rejecting a contract extension due to a lack of guaranteed playing time and being released by the club. The North London outfit has been linked with a near-confirmed move for Sampdoria’s Lucas Torreira. However, even after releasing all the details of the transfer both sides are yet to sign off on it.
Ramsey contract talks ongoing. Arsenal hopeful of agreement with Sampdoria for Torreira but nothing signed, no player agreement/medical – decided once #URU finish #WorldCup + if doesn’t happen #AFC will look elsewhere (not Banega). Wilshere still exploring options – nothing close
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) June 29, 2018
According to latest reports, Arsenal are holding off on the transfer until the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Torreira is representing his nation, Uruguay, who have progressed to knockout stages of the international tournament and due to face Portugal on Saturday evening.
The Gunners have agreed to pay £26m for the holding midfielder, almost £4.4m over his general release clause. Therefore, it should not be an issue for the Serie A outfit to sanction the move but we have to ponder upon David Ornstein’s words.
What if it falls through? Unai Emery immediately will have to turn his sights elsewhere. The former Paris Saint-Germain boss had understandably picked out the Uruguayan to be a part of Arsenal’s core midfield trio, next to Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka.
The latter has already signed a new long-term contract which stretches until the summer of 2023. Ramsey is still being wooed with improved terms but latest reports claim that negotiations have progressed well.
Standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall, Torreira is not the biggest player on the pitch but he might just be the most gritty. With a shrewd eye for a timed challenge or a ball-winning interception, the 22-year-old has set himself apart in the Italian top-flight.
He had made 38 appearances for La Samp in the 2017/18 season and contributed with 4 goals and a single assist on the offensive end. He is also making heads turn with his performances at the international stage for the Uruguayan national team.
The central midfielder has held down the anchor position really well, which has allowed Matias Vecino and Rodrigo Bentancur to surge ahead and help out the striking duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
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Torreira could fill into a similar role at the Emirates with players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey operating in front of him. Some of Xhaka’s defensive responsibilities could be eased off as well if Arsenal can snap up the Uruguayan talent in the near future.
