Lucas Torreira has joined Atletico Madrid on loan for the duration of the 2020-21 season.
The Uruguayan international will spend the campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano, working with Diego Simeone who was a key part of his desire to move there.
His departure is no surprise, with multiple links to Italian clubs including Fiorentina and Torino, but when Atletico expressed their interest, there was only one place he wanted to go.
Torreira joined Arsenal in the summer of 2018 from Sampdoria for a fee of around £27m. Since then he’s made 89 appearances in red and white, scoring 4 goals, and picking up one red card.
He initially looked like an inspired signing, bringing qualities to midfield we’d long lacked, but Unai Emery began playing him further forward, and injury problems meant he was in and out of the side under Mikel Arteta.
It’s a shame it didn’t work out, and ideally we would have sold him, but without the right offer, what can you do?
Atletico will pay us a loan fee, as well as covering his wages for the season, and there is an option to make the deal permanent next summer for a fee of around €20m.
Good luck to him in La Liga.
Best swap deal ever.
I would have preferred Aouar. But once u go through those Wenger era deadline day non activiies where u keep refreshing browser every 10 mins and willing your monitor to show something…this is as good as it gets!
Not a swap deal, but close enough
It was a part-eyxchange, no?
shame we couldn’t sell him for a decent fee to the italians and get one over Atletico!
allegedly Simeone sold Torreira on the idea of forming a partnership with Partey…
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I love how Atleti are pissed. All summer they said “no negotiation – you want him, pay the fee”. So the last day we did exactly what they say. Some people are never happy!
He initially looked like an inspired signing, bringing qualities to midfield we’d long lacked, but Unai Emery began playing him further forward, and injury problems meant he was in and out of the side under Mikel Arteta
Whats with the Emery bashing surely Arteta should have been able to get more out of him?
Wasn’t signed under arteta’s watch and broke his ankle… remember. I think also it’s fair to say he’s not the profile of player Arteta wants in that role, which is fine.
With his physical limitations, there’s absolutely no way he should start in a midfield as sparsely populated and unathletic as the one we’ve been fielding since going to 3 at the back
And besides, he’s made it pretty clear for a good while now that he hasn’t taken to life in England. Arteta wants players who are 100% on board and Torreira understandably can’t really give him that
Maybe he’d even make a decent foil for Partey – but eh, he doesn’t want to be here for non-football / money reasons, so no issues with him leaving
The “minimum” deal – and one that was widely expected – but better than nothing. That’s two players out on loan so far today, but no sales which is disappointing. Still nothing – so far at least – about Partey. If it happens at all it will be literally last minute.
Partey is confirmed
Ornstein is saying Partey is done
Yes, you’re right. He’s signed.
Best wishes. He was unlucky to arrive during Emery’s time and injured for a lot of Arteta’s time.
His Arsenal story might not be over, look at Elneny.
I think his time at Arsenal is finished now.
If only Arteta stays long enough!
Partey is good signing. real shame we didn’t get rid of deadwood and sign Aouar!
But who would buy the deadwood? That’s right, nobody.
Good luck to him, really liked him as a player, just not quite the right fit for Arteta’s midfield. Can see him being brilliant for Simeone and Athletico. Hopefully he settles in Madrid better than he did in London.
I guess Sven Mislintat wasn’t the God we all thought he was. Torriera, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan all gone after 2 years, Sokratis we tried to let go but had no buyers, Leitchsteiner, Mavranpanos….
Aubameyang and Leno ain’t bad I guess. 2/8 for Sven.
A very uneducated comment.
Not sure he had anything much to do with Auba,
Never understood the clamour around Mislentat given the signings.
A very good player, I reckon he will do well for them. Ah well.
Good player. Shame it didn’t quite work out.
Partey time! ???
Physically just not compatible with the premier league. Will always remember his effort, Bicycle kick and Goal and against the spuds.
Now just waiting to see OFFICAL : Thomas Partey Joins Arsenal on 5 year deal
20 million euros could be a bargain price for Torreira come the end of the season. Torreira can still develop into a great player in the right set up. A shame it didn’t quite work out for him here but I wouldn’t go so far to call him a flop or anything. I feel it was the injuries and Emery’s bizarre use of him as a CAM that ruined his time with us. I’ll always fondly remember his goal against Spurs. Who knows, we could yet see him at Arsenal again.
Is partey better than Torreira?
I always thought he was a decent and committed player. Oi Vey What do I know . Good luck to him.
Non controversial opinion, lucas torriera and thomas partey are of similar quality, watch diego simeone turn lucas torriera into a beast and see arsenal fans scream to have him back next year, they got him for free with no obligation so no risk because their fan base doesn’t make a big deal about every player with a youtube compilation. factsss
Unlike twats like Guendouzi, he is leaving with the good will of the Arsenal faithful. I’ll always remember that great goal against the Spuds. And though he hardly featured in our FA cup campaign last season he celebrated as if he had played every minute. Good luck to him I say. I hope he wins the La Liga title with Atletico
Good luck, Lucas. It’s a pity it didn’t work out with Gunners
The buying option is a surprise to me. It has been previously reported several times that the loan is without an option to buy.
Also no mention of a loan fee? Or is it just that his wages are being covered?