Brentford’s summer transfer business could be the key to Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira finally securing a permanent move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Bees are looking to strengthen their side after managing to survive in the Premier League last campaign, and need to fill the void left by the departure of Christian Eriksen, who became pivotal to Thomas Frank’s side in the second half of the season.
So far, they have added 21-year-old forward Keane Lewis-Potter from Hull City, but are in the hunt for more attacking reinforcements and have earmarked Euro 2020 sensation Mikkel Damsgaard as their next target, according to the reliable Gianluca di Marzio.
The Sampdoria man shot to stardom while playing in place of Eriksen for Denmark, grabbing two goals and an assist in five outings while turning in performances that raised his price tag as high as £35m amid interest from Tottenham.
Now that hype has died down, it is Brentford who have come calling, with the Bees having already seen an 18m euro offer turned down (Consisting of 11m and 7m in add-ons), though it is suggested that ‘an agreement can be found’ in the near future.
How would this affect Torreira?
Despite four seasons as an Arsenal player, Lucas Torreira has never really settled in England, and has consistently looked for a departure. Signed from Sampdoria in 2018, Di Marzio claims that while the Italian club are currently looking elsewhere, they still dream of the Uruguayan midfielder’s return this summer.
The problem, as it has been with most interested parties, is the fee. While Arsenal have now reportedly reduced it to 8m euros, it has put many clubs off the player, knowing that he is in the final year of his deal in north London and will therefore be free to agree a pre-contract with them in January.
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However, should Brentford complete the signing of Damsgaard for a fee in the region of 20m euros, it could well open up the possibility of the Italian side making their dream move a reality this summer.