Napoli’s sporting director contacted Arsenal on Monday to submit an offer for Lucas Torreira, according to reports in Italy.

lucas torreira v liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal controls the ball. Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on August 24, 2019, in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Gazzetta report that Napoli are offering an 18-month loan for Torreira with a €3m fee and an obligation to buy for €27m. Essentially, a €30m transfer but they aren’t going to pay most of it until 2021. According to the report, they expect a response soon.

Arsenal should certainly respond quickly, but not with anything Napoli want to hear.

The Gunners haven’t even finished paying off Torreira’s €30m fee to join the club in the first place. Quite why they’d sell him on for the same price and accept a loss for the next season and a half, before breaking even, is beyond me.

Torreira is still just 23 and he has a contract for over three-and-a-half years. Since his move from Sampdoria, he has over a year of additional experience in the Premier League and his first taste of European football.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

If anything, his price should be higher now than it was in 2018. If Napoli were willing to pay €28m for him last year (per rumours prior to his Arsenal transfer), why would the Gunners accept a loan with a similar fee in 2021?

Torreira may well have reason to be unhappy right now. Arsenal aren’t performing, he isn’t always playing in his best position, and so on. Still, if he wants to leave, it has to be for a fair offer.