Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira is desperate to quit the Gunners this summer.
The Uruguayan international, signed for £26million in 2018, was ruthlessly culled by Mikel Arteta at the end of the 2019-20 season and has since spent time on loan at both Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina. But Arsenal have had troubled finding a permanent buyer.
Torreira made 35 appearances for the Serie A side last term but the Viola have not taken up his £13million option. When the Italians attempted to negotiate a lower fee, he made his frustration clear on social media, hitting out at those who he claimed had acted “in a bad way” to scupper a permanent switch.
Now, with a year left to run on his deal in North London, he still finds himself unwanted at the Emirates, while Arsenal want £13million to sanction a sale. Such has been his fall from grace, his No.11 shirt in North London has been handed to Gabriel Martinelli this summer.
Asked about potentially remaining and playing at Arsenal in 2022-23, Torreira admitted “there is no chance”, having been told by Arteta previously that he won’t be able to force his way into the manager’s plans.
Speaking to El Telegrafo, he said “There is no chance. From the beginning they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either because I suffered a lot, it cost me a lot to adapt and my idea is to go to Italy or Spain.
“What I wanted was to stay at Fiorentina, but it didn’t happen for various reasons, so we’ll look for a new direction.”
When asked about a potential move to Boca Juniors, with the Argentine side having been linked with a potential switch, Torreira replied: “Boca is very difficult.
“It was difficult after what happened to my mother and I really wanted to go there, then I had a very good season and I have one year left on my contract with Arsenal.
“Any team that wants me has to buy me, which would be around €15m, so that’s why I see it as difficult, although I never lose hope. I feel a lot of love for that club and at some point I would like to play there.”
