Lucas Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur says they have an initial agreement with Valencia, but they still need to discuss it with Arsenal.

FLORENCE, ITALY: Lucas Sebastián Torreira Di Pascua of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 27, 2022. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY: Lucas Sebastián Torreira Di Pascua of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 27, 2022. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Lucas Torreira is back in training with Arsenal and travelling on the pre-season tour to the United States, but his future remains uncertain.

There had been plenty of talk of a possible move to Italy, with the Evening Standard reporting that AS Roma and Juventus had shown an interest.

But Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur now suggests Valencia are a potential destination.

“We have reached an agreement with Valencia, Gattuso wants him,” Bentancur said. “We are gonna discuss with Arsenal – Arteta wants to see him in the pre-season.

“He had great numbers with Arsenal but we have a pre-agreement with Valencia.”

FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 03: Lucas Sebastián Torreira Di Pascua of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Empoli FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 3, 2022 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY: Lucas Sebastián Torreira Di Pascua of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Empoli FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 3, 2022. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The suggestion that Mikel Arteta wants to get a look at Torreira in pre-season implies it’s not impossible they decide to keep Torreira around for this season.

The Gunners are yet to bring in any defensively-minded midfielders, only signing Fabio Vieira, who is clearly more about goals and assists than ball-winning and protecting the back four.

Staying in London is clearly not the outcome Torreira wants though, as he recently insisted he’s leaving.

“Chances (of staying)? None,” Torreira said. “From the beginning, they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either because I suffered a lot, it cost me a lot to adapt and my idea is to go to Italy or Spain.”

Whether Arsenal’s stance on Torreira has changed should become clear in the coming weeks as pre-season progresses.