Lucas Torreira is set to leave Arsenal imminently to join Serie A club Lazio, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Chris Wheatley reports that Lucas Torreira is set to join Lazio this summer. In his article on Football.London, Wheatley goes on to add that the Uruguayan is set to leave the club imminently, vacating Arsenal’s number 11 shirt.

Gianluca Di Marzio recently told Sky Sport Italia that Torreira had given his agreement for a transfer to Lazio, but added that it was up to the Serie A club to make the right offer. The problem is that Arsenal are asking for €20m and Lazio don’t want to pay that.

According to Corriere dello Sport, this is an issue that hasn’t quite resolved itself yet. Arsenal still want €20m, in two instalments of €10m, whilst Lazio are pushing for a loan with an option to buy set at €15m, rising to €16m with bonuses.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that there’s reportedly a will to close the deal, and Torreira is willing to lower his salary to complete the move.

There’s clearly still a gap to bridge. A €20m purchase versus a €15-16m option to buy next year is a significant difference when Arsenal are making their transfer plans for the summer.

Assuming Wheatley is right, there must be some hope of a compromise on the horizon. Quite what that middle ground is remains a mystery.

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