Report: Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira ‘very close’ to joining Atletico Madrid.

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Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is said to be ‘very close’ to joining Atletico Madrid.

According to ESPN Uruguay, the 24-year-old is now locked in advanced negotiations with the Spanish giants, with Diego Simeone very keen to get the deal done.

Torreira himself is also very keen for the move to happen, which comes after weeks of speculation he could return to Italy with Torino.

ESPN Uruguay say the player actually ended up rejecting two offers, one each from Torino and Fiorentina, to pursue a move to Atleti.

Torreira’s time at the Emirates appears to be coming to an end after just two years.

After initially impressing, the former Sampdoria ace fell away and was used sparingly by Mikel Arteta after he took over in December.

It remains to be seen whether the Torreira deal will see Atleti make it any easier for Arsenal to sign their midfield general Thomas Partey.

TBR’s View – Torreira to Atleti could aid Partey pursuit

Arsenal fans would seriously like to hope that £75,000-a-week star Torreira (Spotrac) going to Atleti will see the Spanish club perhaps soften their stance over Partey.

Simeone really wants Torreira, so Arsenal are doing the Champions League club a favour, and hopefully for the Gunners that will make negotiations over Partey – who is thought to have a £45 million release – clause a little easier.

It is surely better, one would have thought, for Torreira to go to Atletico rather than back to Italy.