Lucas Torreira has reportedly offered to Lazio, who may only want him on an initial loan move, which could pose problems for Arsenal.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Lazio have been reportedly offered a chance to sign Lucas Torreira but may only want the Uruguayan on a loan deal. The idea certainly complicates matters for Arsenal, who have been baffled by their failure to offload him despite a prior agreement with Fiorentina.
A failed season on loan at Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 campaign caused concerns at Arsenal, who were wondering how to get some value for the midfielder. After staring at the prospect of selling him for practically nothing as Torreira demanded a move back to South America, Fiorentina came in like a saviour.
The Italian side kept trust in Torreira’a abilities and decided to take him on a season-long loan deal. Torreira proved to be one of Fiorentina’s best players during the 2021/22 campaign. He won three Player of the Month awards in the season, and it looked like the Viola would be exercising the buy option in his contract.
However, after the season concluded, Fiorentina have decided not to sign the Uruguayan permanently. The Italian club are supposedly unhappy with the agent’s commission demands and have pulled out of the move, despite Torreira agreeing on personal terms.
This is a big problem for Arsenal, who were hoping to use the €15 million from the sale towards bringing their desired targets this summer. However, they have the additional task of finding a new suitor to take the midfielder, who enters the final year of his deal.
Interestingly, Lazio have entered the fray, with Maurizio Sarri seemingly convinced of the midfielder’s qualities and wants him at the club next season. Torreira has been offered to the Biancocelesti. However, the Italian side are unwilling to fork out a transfer fee and wants him only on a loan move.
Torreira was reportedly wanted by Sarri last summer and the season before that by his predecessor Simone Inzaghi. The club knows about the midfielder’s qualities and have been keen on bringing him to Rome.
Considering Lazio wants him only on loan, Arsenal run the risk of losing him for free next summer should they sanction a temporary exit. Alternatively, they could push for Torreira to sign a new deal before signing for Lazio on loan, a scenario Mikel Arteta would not want, as the midfielder is not in the manager’s plans.
Torreira still harbours hope of playing for Fiorentina next season, and there is some belief the problems between the club and his agent can be resolved. In any case, Lazio are waiting in the wings, which could leave an important decision on Arsenal’s table.
