Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal handed transfer dilemma as agent drops update on one of Unai Emery's signings
LUCAS TORREIRA could be tempted to leave Arsenal this summer, his agent Pablo Bentancurt has admitted.
Torreira joined Arsenal last summer from Serie A side Sampdoria for a fee of £26.5million.
The Uruguay international enjoyed a stellar debut season in the Premier League, making 50 appearances for the north Londoners and scoring two goals.
He has, however, cast doubt over his long-term future at the club by admitting he’s failed to settle in London.
“London is a completely different world. England is a very big country,” he while on international duty last week.
"I had trouble with the language, communicating with my team-mates and with the people. It's pretty rough in certain moments when you can't have any dialogue, that's the most important part.
"The weather is also difficult. You go out in the morning and it's cloudy and you get back after training and it's still cloudy.”
AC Milan are understood to be keen on signing the combative midfielder and could make a move for him as soon as Marco Giampaolo is installed as Gennaro Gattuso’s successor.
Giampaolo coached Torreira for two seasons during his team in charge of Sampdoria and Bentancurt believes his client could be open to reuniting with his old manager.
Could a call from Giampaolo be something special for Lucas? Yes, clearly.
“I know nothing about the Rossoneri's interest, no one contacted me,” Bentancurtas told Calciomercato.
“I have learned of this possibility through the press.
“Could a call from Giampaolo be something special for Lucas? Yes, clearly.”
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is aware of Milan’s interest in acquiring Torreira’s services but has no intention of letting him leave the Emirates.
The Spaniard was thoroughly impressed by the 23-year-old’s debut season in England, saying: “His performance is improving, each player with taking confidence, with taking responsibility also, helping each other, every player.
“Lucas Torreira has big qualities, and in his physical condition.
“I want every player to be able to play Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday with a big performance in condition physically, and tactically and technically.
“Lucas Torreira, in this quality, he is very high.”