LUCAS TORREIRA looks set to stay at Arsenal with a move to Boca Juniors looking ‘unlikely’, according to reports in South America.
The Uruguayan midfielder, 25, is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid after failing to convince Mikel Arteta he’s worthy of a spot in the first-team.
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The Spanish giants are unlikely to make his move permanent, with Torreira recently revealing his desperate desire to play for Argentine giant Boca.
However, the chances of a move materialising are looking increasingly slim, according to Argentine outlet TyC Sports.
The report claims Arsenal are willing to allow Torreira to move on loan, but would demand a £1million fee and expect his £75,000-a-week wages to be paid in full.
Alternatively, it’s claimed the Gunners would accept a transfer fee of £15m – a £10m loss on what they paid following the 2018 World Cup.
Boca are unwilling to stump up that much cash and are also already at their limit regarding overseas squad players.
And with the Argentine club hoping to sign wantaway Manchester United star – and international team-mate of Torreira – Edinson Cavani this summer, the Gunners outcast looks like more of a backup option.
Boca vice-president Juan Roman Riquelme is claimed to have held talks with the midfielder – but no formal offer has been made.
Torreira recently revealed he is keen to push for a move out of respect for his mother, who died during the recent international break after contracting coronavirus.
He told ESPN Argentina: “It’s not a crazy decision because of my mother.
“I have always said that I want to play for Boca. I’m dying to play for Boca and I will always say it.
“The night my mother died, one of the first to hear the news was my agent.
“I don’t want to play in Europe anymore, I want to play for Boca.
“I want to be close to my family. My father, crying, told me that it was time to play for Boca.
“I always liked Boca, I’m yet to experience La Bombonera…
“It’s something that I have deep inside me and I have to indulge myself.”
Last week, Arteta refused speculate on Torreira’s future, saying: “It is not the moment to make any decisions.”
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