As per reports by The Sun, Arsenal are weighing up a move to lure Sampdoria midfielder, Lucas Torreira, to the Emirates this summer. The north London based outfit are interested in triggering Torreira’s release clause of £22million and apart from them, Juventus, Liverpool, Everton and Napoli are also keeping close tabs on him.
Arsenal were far from convincing last season under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger. But the arrival of Unai Emery might be able to put the club back on the map. While Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi are now in charge of the transfers, Emery’s needs would be taken into consideration. Torreira release clause is rather inexpensive and Arsenal must try to rope him into their ranks soon.
For some seasons now, Arsenal are in a need of a quality central defensive midfielder and the Gunners have thus laid their sights on Torreira. Having spent his youth career at 18 de Julio, Montevideo Wanderers and Pescara, the Uruguay international started his senior career with Pescara and in the summer of 2015, he was signed by Sampdoria.
However, he remained with Pescara on loan for a season. After he began plying his trade for La Samp, Torreira attracted a lot of attention from the football fraternity owing to his ability. He has emerged as a midfielder who links up well with his teammates and also protects the back line. During the 2017-18 season, he made 36 appearances, all of which came as a starter, and scored 4 goals and registered 1 assist.
Besides, he also garnered 2.8 tackles, 2 interceptions, 0.9 clearance and 0.5 blocks per game on an average. He passed the ball around in a precise manner, hitting a healthy pass completion rate of 87.2%. The 22-year-old is an exciting player who has a disciplined defensive vision and is also a set-piece specialist.
He marauds forward occasionally and tracks back in time, more often than not, to cater to his defensive duties. However, he has to brush himself further to feature regularly in the starting line-up of a top quality side. Although he lacks the experience of English football, he might prove to be a brilliant signing for Arsenal if he manages to acclimatize himself with the rigours of the Premier League.
Statistics Credits: Whoscored