New Arsenal signing Lucas Torreira’s agent has been discussing how Napoli were keen to sign the midfielder during the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Italian outlet Radio CRC, as cited by Goal, the Uruguayan international’s representative Pablo Bentancur explained how Torreira had plenty of potential suitors before he completed the move to Arsenal.
If Arsenal had collapsed then Napoli would have been perfect. Arsenal satisfied all of our requests, even paying €5m more than the release clause. He’s adapting well to the Premier League, he’s settling well and he’s happy.
Torreira caught the eye for Sampdoria throughout last season and it was believed that Napoli had identified the player as the ideal replacement for Jorginho, who completed a big-money move to Chelsea.
However, Arsenal were quick to swoop for Torreira and completed a deal for the player, fending off the likes of Napoli in the process.
Bentancur reflected on Torreira’s decision to join Arsenal but admitted that the prospect of seeing the midfielder under the management of Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli would have been interesting.
It’s a pity, I’m sorry Ancelotti wasn’t there at the start of the negotiation. 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.
Torreira has been slowly integrated into the Arsenal first-team by Unai Emery and will be hoping to feature when the Gunners face Cardiff City this Sunday.
