Arsenal and Lucas Torreira: AC Milan can ramp it up to whatever

AC Milan are reportedly ready to ‘ramp up’ their pursuit of Lucas Torreira. They can do that all they want, Arsenal would still be stupid to sell, almost irrespective of the price.

Every summer, there are some players that are obvious candidates to be offloaded. Those that are ageing and coming towards the end of their careers, the reserves that have been usurped by younger candidates, their playing time diminishing as the previous season progressed, those with contracts set to expire that will not be renewed.

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Then there are those in the squad that could be sold depending on the offer from potential suitors. Sometimes these are talented young players that could break into the first team but can be sold for a decent profit. Other times, they are experienced players that are no longer crucial. Sometimes, these are star players that are cashed in to reinvest through the squad.

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And then finally, there are those that are indispensable to the team. They are key players, still have their primes ahead of them, and are building blocks for the future of the squad. These players are essentially unsellable, almost irrespective of the fee offered.

According to the latest rumours in Italy, first reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan set to ramp up their efforts to sign one of those latter players, Lucas Torreira of Arsenal.

Milan are extremely eager to sign the 23-year-old central midfield and reunite him with his former head coach from his time at Sampdoria, Marco Giampaolo. And, per the rumour mill, Torreira is not overly settled in London, offering Milan hope that a deal could be completed.

Well, I am sorry to disappoint the Italian champions, but they really are barking up the wrong tree here. Not only do Arsenal have no interest in selling Torreira, but it would take a sensational offer for them even to consider the possibility, the ankle-snapping protector seen as one of the key pieces of Unai Emery’s team.

In all reality, Milan can ramp up their interest to whatever level they want, unless if Torreira forces an exit and says that he will not play for the Gunners, even thinking that he will be sold is utterly futile. It just is not going to happen, even if Milan stump up £50-plus million.

Torreira’s performances did tail off a little towards the end of last season, but he proved his influence earlier in the year, his mobility and tenacity critical to the Arsenal midfield. As he continues to adapt to a new league and team, matures personally and as a footballer, and enters his prime, he will only further establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

There are some players that need to be sold. There are others that could be sold. Then they are a very select few who are utterly unsellable. Torreira is the latter, no matter how much Milan ramp up their interest.