Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal transfer news: Lucas Torreira tempted by Jose Mourinho, Roma with Gunners exit desire clear

Lucas Torreira, AC Milan v Fiorentina May 2022

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has revealed that he has spoken to Jose Mourinho about a potential transfer to Roma this summer.

The Uruguayan lost his place in the Gunners’ plans a while ago, with manager Mikel Arteta setting his own pathway for his midfield. Indeed, Torreira has spent the last two seasons out on loan.

His Atletico Madrid spell in the 2020/21 season did not prove to be as fruitful as he hoped.

And despite Torreira’s more recent spell away from Arsenal at Fiorentina proving better, a permanent deal there looks off the cards. Following a failed offer from the Serie A side, the midfielder spoke out against those – in his view – “acting in a bad way” to force the transfer to collapse.

Nevertheless, speaking to media in Uruguay, the 26-year-old revealed that interest from Roma boss Jose Mourinho could yet materialise.

“Roma? Yes, there is a possibility,” Torreira said. “I spoke to Mourinho a while ago.

“I admire him as a coach. It’s an opportunity that tempts me a lot, but it’s not easy.”

Roma will feature in next season’s Europa League. Torreira would therefore have a chance to prove himself in Europe if he moves to the Italian capital.

Roma, Torreira, Mourinho may be good match

And the Uruguayan has had an affection for Italy throughout his career, the player also previously lining up for Sampdoria.

As for Mourinho’s potential stance on the transfer, the Portuguese has poached talents from the Premier League at Roma.

Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham last season set the record for the most goals scored in a single Serie A season by an Englishman.

Ex-Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles spent the second half of last season at the Stadio Olimpico.

This summer, former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has linked up with Mourinho again.

Arsenal star needs to leave

Amid the doubt over his future, the one certainty for Torreira this summer is that he needs to leave Arsenal.

Arteta is building at the Emirates Stadium without him, with Fabio Vieira his latest addition after the likes of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe.

What’s more, Arteta wants another, more senior, midfield signing in before the transfer window shuts.

That would leave Torreira even further out in the cold than he is already.

And with one year left on his contract, Arsenal would be wise to sell him, perhaps using such funds for a new midfielder.