Sampdoria’s sporting director told Sky Italia on Monday night that Lucas Torreira has ‘left’ the Serie A side, with the player expected to join Arsenal.

These comments come hot on the heels of Stanislav Lobotka’s agent telling Spanish media that he’s spoken to Arsenal about his client, but doesn’t expect a transfer, due to the club’s pursuit of Torreira.

“Arsenal have bought Torreira to play six, so I do not think it’s going to happen,” he admitted. “We only had a few words about feelings about the club, about what we think about Stanko’s future, but nothing in particular. Absolutely nothing in particular.”

On Italian TV last Tuesday night, Sampdoria’s president, Massimo Ferrero, let slip that Torreira will be joining Arsenal for €30m despite his release clause only being €26m.

“Sampdoria do not sell unless there are excellent offers,” Ferrero said. “We do not look for buyers. We have natural talents whose values increase exponentially.

“Generally, we do not make changes. Sampdoria is a stepping stone. It’s a family-run club and that allows players to grow up. It’s normal they have aspirations to play for big clubs, but I do not need to sell out.

“Torreira has left for €30million. I bought him from Pescara when no one believed. We bet and we won, paying just €3million. The money that comes in, is used to keep the club going.”

Speaking last week, Torreira said he didn’t know if he was going to Arsenal.

“I do not know if I’m going to go there … At the moment, playing for my country is the most important thing”, Torreira said during a press conference.

“Arsenal have a good team and are one of the most important clubs in the world, but right now I’m fully focused on playing for my country.”

Torreira will reportedly join Arsenal on a five-year deal worth £2.6m-a-year to the player. Arsenal will pay Sampdoria £26.1m for the 22-year-old, exceeding his buyout clause in order to see off Napoli.

In addition to his release clause, Torreira also had another four years to run on his Samp contract.

Pescara will receive €1m from the sale, thanks to a sell-on clause in the midfielder’s Sampdoria contract. According to TuttoPescaraCalcio they had a 20% sell-on clause, with a maximum of €1m.