The AC Milan PR machine has moved up a gear as they try to sign Lucas Torreira so we now have to read reports that he’s not happy in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Of course, all these claims come from him saying he preferred the weather in Italy just a few weeks ago. At the time I noted it wouldn’t take long for this to be spun and that’s exactly what seems to have happened.

What is important to remember from Torreira’s statement that is being used so mischievously is that he also said he expected to adapt at Arsenal over the coming years.

AC Milan have reportedly offered Arsenal some loose change they found under a seat in the San Siro and, laughably, there are reports that Arsenal have not closed the door on this nonsense surrounding Lucas Torreira.

If there’s one sure-fire way to get Arsenal to sell a key player then it’s by offering them a bucketload of money. Ivan Gazidis surely knows this so for him to sanction a deal that would see AC Milan pay between €5 and €8m now to take Torreira on loan for two years with the rest, around €30m, to come should they decide to buy him at the end of that period is beyond farcical.

In fact, it’s such a ridiculous proposition I refuse to believe even someone as self-serving as Gazidis thought it wouldn’t get him a slap.

But a few in the media want you to believe that Arsenal didn’t slam the door in Milan’s face when they made their offer. In fact, they want you to believe that the only sticking point is that Arsenal want an obligation to buy while Milan only want the option.

I’m not one of them.

With hardly any money to spend and Aaron Ramsey to be replaced, just what, exactly, are Arsenal supposed to do with €8m and no Lucas Torreira?

In what universe would they send a player on loan – that AC Milan MIGHT NOT EVEN BUY – when they have to replace him in their side for far less than they paid for Mohamed Elneny?

I know we are in the middle of silly season but, seriously, GTFOH.