Arsenal midfield duo finally close to £30m transfer exits

Transfer negotiations can be excruciatingly tiring. Drip fed daily updates from outlets across Europe with new developments or supposed setbacks, one minute a deal is almost concluded and the next there is a halt in discussions. Arsenal know this all too well.

While it appears as if Arsenal have more money than most initially anticipated, it doesn’t prevent the need to supplement potential arrivals with player sales.

An obscene amount of deadwood combined with unwanted individuals sorely lacking in quality, moving players on this summer is arguably as important and bringing in new faces.

Wages pinning the club down in a squad that doesn’t have to be as large as it is for the coming European football-less campaign, the amount of departures could easily reach double figures.

Arsenal midfield duo finally close to £30m transfer exits as Mikel Arteta looks to boost summer transfer window budget with key sales

Two weeks in and Arsenal are yet to shift a single senior player off the books. Granit Xhaka was supposed to be first but that has stalled as the Gunners rightly dig their heels in over the asking price, although an amicable conclusion will eventually arrive.

One of those names that has been an ever-present in the rumour mill is Lucas Torreira, who for all the world has become impossible to move on despite being linked to practically every single Italian football club from Atalanta to Udinese.

But there finally (we must stress that ‘finally’ has already been used in relation to the Uruguayan’s proposed exit) it does look as if a suitor has been found. At very long last.

Having publicly pleaded to return to South America with Boca Juniors following the tragic passing of his mother, it appears as if the 24-year-old has settled on a move to Serie A. Maurizio Sarri’s new club, Lazio, are now ‘very close’ to sealing his signature, as per Il Tempo and Corriere dello Sport in Italy, and backed up by football.london’s Chris Wheatley.

Lucas Torreira – Lazio

Nobody holds anything against Torreira, but blimey, do we want to see him gone. Not due to his ability or attitude, just simply because he’s been out the door for the best part of two years now without any permanent conclusion. He never settled in London.

It’s dragged on at a painfully slow pace with the loan move to Atletico only extending the inevitable and damaging his valuation. That should have been a great move for him. In many ways it was since he is now a La Liga champion, but barely any playing time and no obligation to buy in the deal ended up being a wasteful loan sanction on Arsenal’s part.

Feeling like it would drag on even longer with his desires to move to Boca Juniors, Lazio look like being the saviours. Torreira is fully onboard.

There is, of course, going to be some discussions over the price. Holding out for £17m in two payments, Lazio are eyeing closer to £12m instead, a fee that would be paid in two yearly installments. The other mentioned Italian source states that a loan with an obligation to buy that would amount to closer to £13.6m is being offered.

Even if Arsenal earn their asking price, they’re still looking at a £9m loss on their original purchase, while if it is the lower end of the spectrum, it could well amount to a £14m loss.

It’s most certainly not ideal. It’s also about as good as they’re going to get. Italian and English sources are in agreement that Torreira will join Lazio, so whatever the unfortunate amount of money will be, at least there is an actual believable buyer involved to finally bring an end to this episode.

Another edges closer, too.

Continued…