According to Diario AS, a Madrid-based Spanish news outlet, Atletico have started negotiations with Arsenal over loaning Lucas Torreira for one season. The report states Diego Simeone called the Uruguay international several times last week.
The Gunners want to offload the midfielder as he appears to have fallen out of Mikel Arteta's favour.
Arsenal hope to land either Houssem Aouar or Atletico's own Thomas Partey. Interestingly, the report states that the discussions between Arsenal and the La Liga side do not concern the Ghanaian enforcer.
Only Torreira is subject to the negotiations, and the sides are in talks over a loan move, not a permanent transfer.
Torino are another candidates to land the midfielder, with the Serie A side boss Marco Giampaolo coaching the Uruguayan at Sampdoria.
Atletico were keen on Torreira back in 2018 but he chose to move to north London on the back of a stunning campaign in Italy.
The diminutive Uruguayan had a great first season at the Emirates, playing regularly as a defensive-minded midfielder for Unai Emery's side, and winning over the hearts of the Gunners faithful with a beautifully executed strike against Tottenham.
The 2019-20 campaign was much less successful for Torreira. Emery tried to use him in an advanced role and Lucas failed to deliver in a new position; then, following Mikel Arteta's arrival, he picked up an injury and barely played even after the lockdown.
This season, the 24-year-old has not made the matchday squad in Arsenal's two opening Premier League fixtures, and gossip linking him with a move away has recently intensified.
According to tier-one sources Fabrizio Romano and James McNicholas, the Gunners would ideally sell Torreira or loan him out with an obligation to buy.
Would you let Torreira leave on loan?
