Arsenal transfer news: Atletico Madrid make Lucas Torreira decision amid La Liga struggles

Arsenal: Torreira ‘really keen’ to play again claims Arteta

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has failed to make an impression at Atletico Madrid ever since his move back in the summer transfer window. But reports claim the Uruguay international won’t be returning to the Emirates Stadium ahead of schedule. He’s made 10 La Liga appearances for the Spanish side, scoring one goal along the way.

Arsenal chief Edu recently suggested the Gunners were worried about Torreira’s situation over in Spain.

“The situation is very simple,” he said.

“Arsenal are concerned about Torreira, his happiness, that he plays and that he’s well.

“We want to know about him, how he feels and, later, of course, know what Atletico think.

“For us, Lucas and his happiness is the most important thing. If everyone is happy, we will continue like this, if Lucas is not well, we will seek a change because there are many teams that are calling me to ask about the player’s situation.”

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But La Nazione claim that Torreira won’t be returning to Arsenal ahead of schedule.

It’s claimed Atletico have ‘put their foot down’ and made it clear they’re unwilling to send the loan early.

That means that Fiorentina, who had been interested in bringing the Uruguay international back to Italy, will have to look elsewhere.

And Arsenal will be hoping Torreira returns the capital in better form, having struggled under both Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery since his move nearly three years ago.

Meanwhile, the midfielder’s agent Pablo Bentancur recently insisted his client was happy at Atletico – despite struggling to make his mark in Spain so far.

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And he also ruled out a move to Inter Milan, saying: “I’ve had no contact from Inter for Torreira.

“I haven’t received any phone call.

“Torreira is an Atletico player, he’s very happy there and he won’t leave Madrid in January.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal have signed two players in January – with Martin Odegaard recently joining Matt Ryan in the capital.

And Bernd Leno has revealed the Norway international has already impressed his new team-mates in the short time since his arrival from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

“I think we should all be very excited,” he said.

“Because he is an attacking midfield player who is turning, wants to go forward, wants to play passes and create chances and have assists.

“In his first days he has been very impressive and has been very open to everyone, and I think we will have a lot of fun with him in the next months.”

Leno also hailed Arsenal’s mentality after their goalless draw with Manchester United on Saturday, with the Gunners now unbeaten in their last seven league matches.

“I think our mentality,” he said when asked what the key to the turnaround has been.

“Because everybody is defending, even the striker is sometimes defending in the box and then you can see the difference.

“It is much harder to score goals against us and even to create clear chances.

“For me, of course as a goalkeeper, it is always better to have a clean sheet but I think to be a successful team the defence is the most important thing.”

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