Arsenal will ask for £15m to sanction the departure of Lucas Torreira, though they are sympathetic to his desire to leave.

Lucas Torreira with Atletico Madrid (Photo via Torreira on Instagram)
Lucas Torreira with Atletico Madrid (Photo via Torreira on Instagram)

ESPN report that whilst Arsenal do understand why Lucas Torreira might want to return to South America and join Boca Juniors after the death of his mother, they want a fee in the region of £15m to let him go.

Arsenal accept they may have to take a loss on their £26m purchase fee, but they feel £15m is a reasonable asking price. Atletico Madrid aren’t interested in a permanent transfer at the end of his loan deal, and they don’t have an option to buy.

Recent reports suggest Torreira’s camp are optimistic about a deal for Torreira to leave Arsenal for Boca Juniors this summer, though the player’s father has also confirmed the likes of Flamengo and Gremio are after him in Brazil.

Torreira himself told the local media in Uruguay he wants to join Boca Juniors.

Whatever Arsenal’s private stance on the matter is, Mikel Arteta has publicly been urging caution.

“I understand how he’s feeling emotionally,” Arteta said. “He probably feels the need and responsibility to be closer to his family. But it’s not the moment to make any decisions and it certainly is a decision that has to be made by different parties.

“Now, nothing is going to change. It’s just an interview with some comments. Let’s see what happens.”

For now, Torreira has returned to Madrid to rejoin training with Atletico.