Lucas Torreira says there’s “no chance” he stays at Arsenal this summer

Lucas Torreira has said there’s “no chance” of him staying at Arsenal this summer with the club making it clear that he doesn’t have a place in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The Uruguayan midfielder was an initial hit was Arsenal supporters after he was signed from Sampdoria in the summer of 2018. He emerged as a terrier-like profile in the middle of the park for Unai Emery’s Gunners and starred in a 4-2 North London Derby over Spurs.

However, his minutes diminished following a promising debut season and has never been in manager Arteta’s long-term plans after the Spaniard succeeded Emery in December 2019.

Lucas Torreira says there’s “no chance” he stays at Arsenal this summer

Lucas Torreira on staying at Arsenal: “There is no chance. From the beginning, they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either. We’ll look for a new direction. Any team that wants me has to buy me, which would be around €15m.” [El Telegrafo] #afc pic.twitter.com/KtP1Pej3BH
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) June 29, 2022

Arsenal have loaned Torreira out for the last two seasons and many expected him to sign a permanent deal with Fiorentina this summer after excelling for La Viola last term.

Torreira contributed to seven Serie A goals from the base of midfield as Vincenzo Italiano’s side finished seventh and qualified for the Europa Conference League play-off round.

But, the Uruguayan was angered to discover that Fiorentina would not be buying him outright. “Unfortunately there were those acting in a bad way. According to my understanding, they managed to stop this happening and that’s why I must go,” he said in a farewell statement.

This led to some speculation about whether Torreira still has a future in north London, but the player himself put that idea to rest in an interview with El Telegrafo (via @afcstuff).

“There is no chance [of him staying at Arsenal]. From the beginning, they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either. We’ll look for a new direction. Any team that wants me has to buy me, which would be around €15m,” the midfielder said.

Other potential suitors for Torreira’s signature are yet to manifest but the Uruguayan should garner some interest as the window moves on. As the player said, a fee in the region of €15m will be enough to convince Arsenal to sell this summer.