Arsenal continue clear-out with Torreira reportedly set to leave

Arsenal’s summer of pain

It has been a difficult summer for Arsenal. In desperate need of both squad space and cash in order to carry out their much-discussed squad overhaul, the Gunners have struggled to shift out unwanted players thus far.

They are by no means the only side with this issue: a glance across London sees Danny Drinkwater, Ross Barkley and Davide Zappacosta still at Chelsea, while Real Madrid and Barcelona have been unable to shift their high earners to a European market that, for the most part, has no money.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Ross Barkley of Chelsea is closed down by Matthew Longstaff of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on October 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

As a result, Arsenal have yet to make a sale, with Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba both going out on loan, although the former has an eleven million euro obligation to buy attached to the deal.

Meanwhile, a potential deal for Granit Xhaka’s sale to Roma fell through, and it looks as though Mikel Arteta will be heading into the season with much of the same squad that he finished last campaign with.

Willock to spark departures

However, it has been reported in recent days that Newcastle United have agreed a deal with the Gunners to purchase young English midfielder Joe Willock, for a fee of around 25 million pounds.

🚨 Exclusive: Newcastle have agreed a fee with Arsenal to sign Joe Willock on a permanent basis. Personal terms still need to be finalised so deal not yet done. Price would be in excess of £20m for the 21y England youth midfielder @TheAthleticUK #NUFC #AFC https://t.co/T0AIMXOqHN

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 8, 2021

It was hoped that this sale would begin a series of departures before the end of the transfer window on August 31st, and if Italian media reports are to be believed, this may well be the case.

As per La Gazzetta della Sport, Lazio have agreed personal terms with Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira, and have approached Arsenal for the player. Although the Gunners are keen to recoup a fee for the Uruguayan international, the report suggests that a loan with an option to buy will be explored.

Gradimento reciproco tra Lazio e Torreira: si valuta il prestito con diritto di riscatto https://t.co/THgzaURiGD

— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) August 11, 2021

Were Arsenal able to continue to trim down their squad, it could free them up to get more incomings through the door, and allow their transfer overhaul to finally, belatedly, take shape.

Read more:

Manchester City transfer news: Kane alternative targeted, Grealish ‘advanced talks’ and two departures confirmed

Bukayo Saka responds to suggestions he is ‘carrying’ Arsenal

Arsenal betting odds, next game:

Brentford vs Arsenal odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers

Arsenal’s latest videos

Meet Len. Len is all of us | Introducing the 2021/22 adidas x Arsenal third kit

This is what it means to support The Arsenal ♥️ #arsenal Enjoy match highlights,…

2021-08-10T09:10:24Z

Welcome back, Gabriel Martinelli! | Behind the scenes at Arsenal training centre

We welcomed the gold medalist back to the squad at London Colney today and…

2021-08-09T16:50:15Z

Arsenal latest news

Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Arsenal FC	0	0	0
2	Aston Villa	0	0	0
3	Brentford FC	0	0	0
4	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	0	0
5	Burnley FC	0	0	0
6	Chelsea FC	0	0	0
7	Crystal Palace	0	0	0
8	Everton FC	0	0	0
9	Leeds United	0	0	0
10	Leicester City	0	0	0
11	Liverpool FC	0	0	0
12	Manchester City	0	0	0
13	Manchester United	0	0	0
14	Newcastle United	0	0	0
15	Norwich City	0	0	0
16	Southampton FC	0	0	0
17	Tottenham Hotspur	0	0	0
18	Watford FC	0	0	0
19	West Ham United	0	0	0
20	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0	0	0