Will Lucas Torreira play for Arsenal next season?

Will Lucas Torreira play for Arsenal next season?

By Jonny Bray
Lucas Torreira is at a crossroads in his Arsenal career.
Despite once being seen as the long-term answer to the club's issues in central-defensive midfield, the Uruguayan is now deemed as surplus to requirements by many Gunners fans.
He may be a bit of an outcast, but Torreira has a contract that will keep him in North London until June 2023.
Much of the press is reporting that he has already played his last game for Arsenal, despite a permanent switch to ACF Fiorentina collapsing at the last moment.
So, will Torreira play for the Gunners next season?

What happened at ACF Fiorentina

Torreira actually had quite a solid season in Italy.
By all accounts, the Gigliati wanted to keep hold of the midfielder, having just missed out on UEFA Europa League qualification.
He played 31 matches in Serie A, scoring five goals, an impressive return by anyone's standards.
It was also one of the most competitive leagues in years, with a seven-team race for Champions League football and the title being decided on the final day.
So why won't they sign him on a permanent deal?
His agent Pablo Ramiro Bentancur has said that a €15 million deal fell apart after the Italian side asked to lower the salary and the transfer fee.
It is pretty shocking considering that Torreira had won three of the last four Fiorentina Player of the Month awards.
Undoubtedly a strange call from Fiorentina, but it could work in Arsenal's favour.

Could Arsenal keep him?

The midfielder has a point to prove.
He has shown he can compete at the highest level in Serie A this season, and maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to have another look at him in pre-season.
He is a ferocious player who is prepared to get stuck into opponents, but he has also shown that he can be a goal threat over the last 12 months.
And best of all, if he isn't good enough to compete for a place in Mikel Arteta's side, then the club can always cash in and sell him.

Is now the best time to sell him?

Arsenal may never get a better opportunity to get some of the £26 million they spent on Torreira back than this summer.
He is seen as a top midfielder in Italy, and he is still young enough at 26-years-old to command a decent fee despite having just a year left on his contract.
There is no reason why one of the six sides above Fiorentina in Serie A wouldn't swoop in for him.
And he will also probably attract interest from the Premier League.

Conclusion

It's time for Torreira to go.
Arsenal need to capitalise on his excellent season in Serie A, get as much money as they can for the Uruguayan and then reinvest it in their squad.
The team is crying out for greater depth at full-back and centre forward, so the funds generated from Torreira's sale could definitely go to good use.He is not good enough to compete in this Arsenal midfield, and the Gunners should look at new options if they want to qualify for the Champions League next year.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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