Arsenal and Lucas Torreira: Analysing the mess

There are a whole host of conflicting reports regarding Lucas Torreira and his Arsenal future. Here, I attempt to break down all that is going on.

As is almost always the case during the summer transfer window, it is all getting rather murky. Conflicting reports, murmurs in the media, rumours flitting through the fan base, ‘in the know’ Twitter accounts spouting apparent truths. They are all here, just like every summer. And right now, the player that is causing the most uncertainty and controversy is Lucas Torreira.

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There has been lots said about the Arsenal midfielder and his potential future in north London or elsewhere. Here, I track the trajectory of Torreira’s summer thus far and attempt to break down what could be going on behind the scenes.

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Most of the reports have stemmed from Italy. Emerging in early June, there were vague suggestions that Torreira might not be happy with life in London. His girlfriend, Vittoria Repetto, reportedly did not like London, Torreira later publicly revealed that he was struggling to acclimate to England, with particular problems with learning the language, and a return to Italy seemed highly plausible.

Then AC Milan entered the fray. Gennaro Gatusso departed and former Sampdoria head coach Marco Giampaolo arrived in his stead. Giampaolo worked with Torreira at Sampdoria and there were heavy suggestions that he wanted to build his new Milan midfield around the Uruguayan. The interest stepped up and, in the last couple of days, reports from Italy claim that a bid has been made. Arsenal are looking for a substantial profit on their £26 million investment last summer.

While all this is transpiring, English-based media have stated that Torreira does not want to leave the club. The Telegraph report from Sam Dean, who is a well-connected journalist regarding Arsenal, includes sources close to Torreira claiming that the player does not want to leave and will not attempt to engineer a move away. The same report also confirms major interest from Milan. So what’s going on?

Well, for what it is worth, let me give my two cents. I believe that Torreira does not want to leave Arsenal. Dean and James Benge of Football.London have both said the same. However, I also do believe elements of the Italian reports also.

Torreira likely is not as settled as he would like in England. He himself has admitted that he is struggling with the language. His girlfriend might like to move back to Italy. But it could also be true that he would like to stay at the club and work through these problems, not simply bow to them. Moreover, there is the presence of his agent, Pablo Bentancur, who did not exactly play down reports of a possible reuniting with Giampaolo. Could he be playing for a new contract after a promising first season?

All in all, this is a mess and the only thing that will solve it is time. If I had to guess what will happen, it is that Torreira will stay and, if the problems still remain, he will make a more substantial decision next summer.