Lucas Torreira Closing In On Arsenal Exit

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is close to a move to Turkish side Galatasaray, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano reports Galatasaray have submitted a proposal to Arsenal which the Gunners are prepared to accept.

The deal would be for a permanent move, with Torreira needing to agree personal terms.

The Uruguayan signed for Arsenal from Sampdoria in 2018.

His first season went well, as the midfielder's tenacity and fierce tackling was lauded by Arsenal fans.

Video: Lucas Torreira with a goal-saving block before nutmegging Héctor Bellerín in Wednesday's training session at London Colney. [Arsenal YouTube]#afc 👀 @LTorreira34 @HectorBellerin pic.twitter.com/FSjR84I2kl

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 30, 2018

A particular highlight was the goal Torreira scored against Tottenham, to make it 4-2 in the North London derby.

Next to Granit Xhaka, Torreira looked comfortable and the two formed a great partnership.

However, the midfielder's second season didn't go quite as well.

Unai Emery, Arsenal manager at the time, bizarrely chose to play the defensive midfielder further forward.

Torreira, strong in the defensive actions, understandably struggled.

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

When Mikel Arteta was hired in late 2019, Torreira seemed to make a comeback of sorts, and started to look back to himself.

However, he couldn't recapture the same form and suffered a broken ankle which ended his season.

Torreira's agent claimed he was 'home-sick' and the Uruguayan left on loan to Atletico Madrid for the season.

Diego Simeone played Torreira fleetingly and soon he was back in England.

A loan to Fiorentina last season looked to be the re-birth of Torreira's career but the Italian club didn't take up the option to buy at the end of the season.

So far this season, Torreira has failed to make a single pre-season appearance for Arsenal and has rarely trained.

Pablo Bentancur (Lucas Torreira’s agent): “Lucas to Juventus? In fact, he would like to stay & play in Italy, but today, Arsenal has called him up for the tour they will do in America, so he seems to be part of the program.” [Sport Italia] #afc pic.twitter.com/xzz1dYZXj5

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 9, 2022

If his move to Galatasaray is to go through, many Arsenal fans will be understandably glad to see the back of the midfielder.

Torreira is just one of a number of players Arsenal are hoping will leave the club in the coming weeks.