Arsenal’s struggles to offload Lucas Torreira could be used by Edu to strengthen the forward line for Mikel Arteta next season. Edu can do this by offering the midfielder to Napoli to help drop the price for Victor Osimhen.
It seemed guaranteed that Torreira would secure a permanent transfer to Fiorentina after his successful loan spell at the club during the previous campaign. However, Fiorentina have now reported that the Gunners have been left 'greatly annoyed' by Fiorentina's latest offer of €7million (£6million), less than half of what they wanted for the Uruguayan.
A deal between Fiorentina and Arsenal now looks unlikely. But Edu can look to use Napoli’s previous interest in Torreira to drive down the price for Osimhen, who is a reported target for Arsenal.
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Torreira’s agent Raffaele Bentancur was speaking to Italian radio station Radio Marte about his client and how a transfer to Napoli almost happened in the past.
"It is true, Napoli wanted him, but there was economic distance between their offer and Arsenal's. Carlo Ancelotti personally tried to take him to Naples and if talks with Arsenal had broken down, he would've gone to Napoli. However Arsenal was his choice, English football was more suited to his skills."
Bentancur then revealed Torreira was upset about not making the potential move to Napoli after he left Sampdoria. "Torreira felt bad about missing out on the move to Naples," he said.
"Why? Because he is Uruguayan, and because he wants to close his career at Boca Juniors, and Napoli is very similar in atmosphere to Boca."
Arsenal could use the failed transfer and reignite a potential deal which would help Arsenal strengthen in the forward department. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli have lined up Armando Broja as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian international is reportedly a target for Arsenal and Bayern Munich, but will cost around €100million (£84million), which the Gunners have yet to reach.
This certainly seems to be a hefty fee for the Gunners, but including Torreira in the deal could certainly help drive down the price, especially if Arsenal value the Uruguayan at around £13million.
Osimhen scored 18 goals in 32 matches this season, showing his knack for goals when leading the line. Arsenal should certainly be looking to use Torreira as a pawn in order to secure the Nigerian international’s signature.
