The Gunners are close to completing the transfer of Uruguay International midfielder Lucas Torreira in the coming days and wrap up their transfer activity.
According to BBC Sport’s David Ornstein, Arsenal are very close to finalising a deal for Samparodia and Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira with medical and other formalities imminent. The Gunners have reportedly agreed upon a fee with Sampdoria – a fact confirmed by their president – as well as personal terms with Torreira, with only a medical pending to complete the deal.
Ornstein also tweeted with the same information suggesting the deal could be concluded in the coming days, depending upon Torreria’s travel plans, after Uruguay exited the World Cup after their defeat to France in the quarterfinals.
Arsenal hope to complete Lucas Torreira deal next week. Agreed with Sampdoria & 22yo. Medical + signing imminent – depends if he flies straight from #WorldCup to London or via #URU Finishes 1st team recruitment but a younger player for future also likely before window shuts #AFC pic.twitter.com/LHkXid7Rda
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) July 6, 2018
Torreira was one of Uruguay’s top performers in a defensive midfield role, as he helped his country reach the quarter-final stages. Arsenal could conclude the Torreira deal early, depending on if the player flies to London from Russia rather than later if he is to come to the city after visiting Uruguay.
Either way, pending a medical examination and signing of the real contract, the deal is thought to be done by Arsenal and the player’s perspective.
Arsenal was reported to have offered a chance for Torreira to conduct the medicals while he was in Russia playing the World Cup. But the Uruguayan midfielder swiftly rejected the opportunity stating inconvenience at that point of time. His father, however, later confirmed this but stressed that a deal to join the Gunners was firmly in place.
Lucas Torreira played a vital role in Uruguay’s run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. (Photo courtesy: AFP/Getty)
The signing of Torreira according to David Ornstein could be the last major signing of the summer for Arsenal. But, he did go on to suggest the Gunners might be in the market for a much younger, future prospect. When the deal for the Uruguayan concludes, he will become Unai Emery’s fourth signing of this window as Arsenal continue their re-building.
Stephan Lichtsteiner was the first to join on a free transfer from Italian champions Juventus, while Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno joined from Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal also confirmed the signing of Greek Centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund, and these signings were considered vital in the rebuilding process.
Lucas Torreira was subject of interest from Arsenal way before the World Cup began in Russia, and with this deal, 90% concluded as it stands, the Gunners are thought to be delighted to have bagged a player of his quality for the reported fee.
