New Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso has identified Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira as a target for the Italian club in the January transfer window.
According to reports in Italy, Gattuso wants to make Torreira his first new signing and could be willing to offer £23m for the 23-year-old. The Uruguayan has played a bit-part role in recent months at Arsenal and has consistently been linked with a move back to Serie A just 18 months after arriving from Sampdoria.
During the November international break, his agent said that the midfielder had become unhappy at the Emirates stadium. The 23-year-old has only made 12 starts in all competitions for the Gunners this term.
Speaking to reporters last month, Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur said that his client is no longer happy at the club. According to the agent, his client has become frustrated at the club and he hopes that things can change.
Torreira struggled for game time under Unai Emery at the start of the season and when he did feature the Spaniard used him in an unfamiliar position. Also, Emery used him further forward than playing him in a deep-lying role he played in his debut campaign.
Also speaking on his rumored exit from Arsenal, the midfielder insisted that he is not thinking about making a move away from North London.
He told Sport 890: “Today Arsenal needs me to be focused. I can’t start talking about another team.
“I need to be focused and when the transfer window arrives we will see what will happens.”
The Uruguayan added that he would like to play for Argentine side Boca Juniors at some point in the future. According to him, the club is one of the most respected clubs in South America and it would be a pleasure for him to play for the club.
He added: “I don’t know hat can happen in the future. But I wish I could play in Boca. It’s a dream that I have for what that institution represents.”
