Atletico planning to terminate Arsenal midfielder’s loan early
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira looks set on an early return to the club as Atletico Madrid plan to end his loan early.
The Uruguay international made the switch to Spain in search of regular first team football.
His loan was thought to be part of Arsenal’s £45 million deal for Thomas Partey.
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But things haven’t worked out for Torreira in the Spanish capital, as he’s failed to start a match since October.
According to sources in Italy (via Goal), it means Atletico now want him to return to England.
He started the campaign with a full 90 minutes in the La Liga victory over Celta Vigo.
Since then, he’s been used as a substitute on multiple occasions and was unavailable for several weeks after contracting Covid-19.
He’s made five appearances in the league thus far, scoring one goal.
Manager Diego Simeone tends to use Koke, Saul and Marcos Llorente in a midfield three.
That’s left Torreira on the bench for most of the season.
Arsenal fans will have been hoping for the player to regain some confidence during his time in Spain and to return in England as a reliable starter.
That doesn’t seem to be the case, with an early exit from Madrid set to leave his career in limbo.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be unlikely to shoehorn Torreira into his team. His starting lineups tends to utilise Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos in the centre of midfield.
Partey is currently unavailable after aggravating an injury on his return against Spurs.
Arteta can also call upon Mohamed Elneny to deputise for those players. The Gunners may therefore sell Torreira in 2021 to increase their transfer funds.
Lyon’s Houssem Auoar has once again become their main transfer target after Dominik Szoboszlai decided to join RB Leipzig.
Arsenal’s next match is against the in-form Southampton on Wednesday.