Arsenal chiefs feel ‘annoyed’ by a fresh offer for Lucas Torreira from Fiorentina which does not get anywhere near their demands, according to a report.
The Uruguay international has been on the fringes of the Gunners team for some time and his future now lies elsewhere. He spent last season on loan in Florence and the former Sampdoria man enjoyed his return to Serie A.
As a result, Fiorentina want to secure Torreira’s long-term future at the club.
However, their failure to snap up the €15million (£12.8million) option to buy the midfielder in their loan deal has meant negotiations have become fractured.
Indeed, Fiorentina.it now reports that the Italian side have ‘annoyed’ Arsenal with their latest offer.
La Viola have offered €7million (£6million) for Torreira, which amounts to less than half of the previous option to buy.
Arsenal have subsequently refused to even respond to the offer, leaving Fiorentina to reconsider their bid.
Torreira played 35 times in all competitions for Fiorentina, scoring five goals and assisting two others in Serie A.
He is therefore a fringe player Arsenal are looking to move on, especially as his contract expires next summer.
If they fail to sell him this summer, they will have to accept a cut-price fee in January or his exit as a free agent next summer.
Torreira relaxed over transfer future
For Torreira, though, he feels relaxed over his future and wants more time to consider his options.
“My idea is to stay at Fiorentina, but if [a move] doesn’t happen, I’ll search for a club where I can play regularly,” the 26-year-old told Sky Italy.
“I am not thinking about anything at the moment, I want to rest a little because it was a busy season.
“I’ll meet my agent at the right time and we’ll make the best decision.”
Arsenal have moved on
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta now prefers Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny in his midfield.
Elneny and Xhaka have recently signed contract extensions, with Partey a relatively new signing.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is also a recent signing in midfield. He had to bide his time for match action last term.
In any case, Torreira has next to no chance of making his way back into Arteta’s plans.
After missing out on Champions League football for next season, Arsenal could therefore do with selling him this summer.
