Torino are keen on a move for Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira, with head coach Marco Giampaolo’s brother Federico Giampaolo confirming their interest.
The Uruguayan midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, having been named on the list of players Mikel Arteta is happy to see leave.
A return to Italy has looked likely, with Fiorentina, Torino and Roma all named among his suitors in recent weeks.
Torino are particularly keen, with a report at the end of last month stating that they could make a ‘decisive lunge’ for him sooner rather than later.
That has not happened as yet but, speaking to Tuttosport, their manager’s brother, Federico Giampaolo, has confirmed their interest.
“Taking Torreira will be very difficult because it is an operation that involves a great outlay from the club,” he told Tuttosport.
“And it is a negotiation unrelated to the simple will of the player, so many factors come into play. But in football, you never know.
“Maybe Marco convinces him, and Vagnati gets a yes from Arsenal: everyone in Turin wishes him well. It is a city that lives on football and Torreira can ignite enthusiasm like few other players.”
That notion of the deal being difficult is something Tuttosport suggest in their coverage of the situation too.
The newspaper explains that Torreira is looking likely to leave Arsenal this summer after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.
They state that the dialogue between both has ‘fizzled out’ and the Spaniard has officially asked the club to sell him, with several clubs interested in his signature.
Roma, Fiorentina and Torino have all made enquiries from Italy while Valencia have ‘put him in the crosshairs,’ but he is not considered as first choice at the moment.
In terms of Torino, Giampaolo has already spoken to Torreira ‘several times’ to talk up a move to the club, and Torreira has indicated he would ‘gladly’ make the move and reunite with the manager he worked with at Sampdoria.
Indeed, he is also willing to reduce his salary to help Torino’s efforts to get him as his current salary is well above what the Italian side can afford.
The midfielder’s agent is said to be putting pressure on Arsenal to make a move happen, but at the moment the Gunner’s ‘demand is substantial’, with them already stating that €20m isn’t enough to get a deal done.
They have also rejected a loan deal with a right to buy, which is the option that Torino prefer. They would be willing to take an ‘onerous loan’ with an obligation to buy in 2022, as that would help them cover the cost.
Whether Arsenal would accept that isn’t mentioned, but it’s made clear Torino are hoping to use Torreira’s willingness to leverage the Gunners into accepting a fee below €20m.
Their belief is that if time continues to pass and Arsenal can’t find another suitor who will match their asking price, they will be tempted to accept Torino’s bid, suggesting this one may have a while to run yet.
