Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has denied that the Italian Serie A club has opened talks over the possible signing of Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira this summer. According to him via his quotes made available by Italian media portal La Repubblica, the Lazio official shut down the widespread rumours that the capital club is in talks to sign the Uruguay international.
Several media platforms reported earlier this summer that Lazio want to sign Torriera who spent last season away from parent club Arsenal. The petite midfielder was on loan at Atletico Madrid for the entire duration of last season having joined them last summer. The newly crowned Spanish La Liga champions had the option of turning the loan deal into a permanent one but they decided not to pursue a move for the Uruguay international permanently. While he was on loan at Atletico Madrid, Torreira played his part, mostly as a substitute, as the capital club saw off both Barcelona and Real Madrid to win the league title for the first time in seven years.
Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sports Italia said earlier this summer that Torreira had agreed to a move to Lazio but a transfer fee is yet to be discussed between the Italian club and Arsenal. Another report from Corriere dello Sport said that the Gunners want €20m for Torreira and that the said fee would be paid in two instalments, while Lazio are only interested in a loan deal for the player with the option to sign him for €15m rising to €16m with bonuses.
Lazio are the not the only club interested in a deal for Uruguay international Torreira this summer. Apart from the Italian capital club, Argentine football giants Boca Juniors have also been linked with the player who joined Arsenal from Sampdoria of Italy three years ago.