Lucas Torreira’s agent says Napoli were also interested in signing the Arsenal midfielder this summer, but Fiorentina made him feel important.

Udinese Calcio v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A Lucas Torreira ACF Fiorentina during the Italian football Serie A match Udinese Calcio vs ACF Fiorentina on September 26, 2021 at the Friuli - Dacia Arena stadium in Udine, Italy Udine Italy livemedia-udinesec210926_npwy0 Copyright: Reporter Sportivo
Udinese Calcio v ACF Fiorentina – Serie A – Lucas Torreira on September 26, 2021. Copyright: Reporter Sportivo

Lucas Torreira joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan with an option to buy this summer, but they weren’t the only club chasing a deal. Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur claims Napoli were among the others after the 25-year-old.

“Interest of Napoli? Yes, there were the Azzurri as well as other clubs,” Bentancur said (via Sport Witness). “However, we wanted a project and we knew Daniele Pradè from the time at Sampdoria. They made Torreira feel immediately important.”

There’s a sense at Fiorentina that one of their current holding midfielders, Erick Pulgar, may not be around for too much longer. He’s been linked with clubs from abroad, including some in the Premier League.

That could open up a long-term opportunity for Torreira in the side, even if he’s not always starting this year. You can see why that would appeal to a player who has had a lot of uncertainty in his future for the last few years.

As Bentancur mentions, there was also the link to Daniel Prade, Fiorentina’s current sporting director. Between 2016 and 2018, Prade was working for Sampdoria, overlapping with Torreira throughout that period.

For the player, a return to Serie A this summer made a lot of sense. He seems to be settling in, having started their last couple of games, and he’ll hope to impress again in their clash with rival bidders Napoli later today.