It's a pity Lucas Torreira couldn't work with Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti, says Arsenal star's agent

In demand | Arsenal were not the only side chasing Torreira this summer
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge29 August 2018

The agent of Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has expressed his disappointment that his client was unable to join Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli.

Arsenal moved swiftly to secure the signature of the in-demand Uruguayan this summer, agreeing to a £26million deal that was worth more than Torreira’s release clause at Napoli, albeit structured in such a way that the Gunners will be paying the fee over the next three years.

Napoli had also been linked with Torreira throughout the second half of last season, when the 22-year-old established himself as one of Serie A’s top defensive midfielders. However the confusion at the Neapolitans, who briefly had two managers in Ancelotti and Maurizio Sarri, on gardening leave before his move to Chelsea, allowed Arsenal to pounce.

“It’s a pity, I’m sorry Ancelotti wasn’t there at the start of the negotiation,” Torreira's agent Pablo Bentancur said.

“He’d have been a great help for Torreira, he has tremendous international experience.

“But then Lucas called me and he confirmed to me that negotiations with Arsenal were too advanced for any second thoughts.

“If Arsenal had collapsed then Napoli would have been perfect.

In Pictures | Arsenal v West Ham | 25/08/2018

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“He’s adapting well to the Premier League, he’s settling well and he’s happy.”

Torreira is yet to make a start for Arsenal since his move, playing 98 minutes off the substitutes bench in three Premier League games.

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