Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is reportedly poised to join Fiorentina on a permanent deal for a fee of €15m (£12.8m) this summer.
The Uruguay international was signed for the Gunners by Unai Emery in 2018 and quickly became a fan favourite with his tenacious displays in the middle of the park.
Torreira endeared himself to the fans by scoring his first goal for the club in a 4-2 North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur before an acrobatic effort against Huddersfield Town.
However, Torreira struggled when placed higher up the pitch by Emery, and the former Sampdoria man quickly fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta following the Spaniard's arrival.
The 26-year-old endured a difficult and unproductive stint on loan at Atletico Madrid last term, but he still turned out 19 times in La Liga as Diego Simeone's side won the title.
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Torreira was then struck by tragedy off the pitch as his mother died following COVID-19 complications, and he was widely expected to complete a return to South America with Boca Juniors.
However, the Uruguayan instead joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan and has reignited his career with five goals and an assist in 29 Serie A matches for the Viola this term.
According to Calcio Mercato, Fiorentina are now set to complete the permanent signing of Torreira, and Arsenal will receive close to £13m for the midfielder.
The report adds that Viola president Rocco Commisso has given the green light for the move, with Torreira starting 25 top-flight games for Fiorentina, who could move level on points with sixth-placed Roma with victory over Jose Mourinho's side on Monday.
Torreira's existing Arsenal contract was due to expire in the summer of 2023, and he prepares to leave the North London club after racking up four goals and six assists in 89 appearances in all tournaments.
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The former Pescara youngster was part of the Gunners' 2019-20 FA Cup-winning squad, although he only started two games during that run and was an unused substitute in the final against Chelsea.
Torreira is not the only Arsenal midfielder expected to be on the move this summer, with Matteo Guendouzi's loan deal with Marseille also set to turn into a permanent one.
Mohamed Elneny is also running down the final few weeks of his contract, but the Egypt international is enjoying a solid run of form and has confirmed his desire to stay at the club.
Arsenal are expected to be in the market for at least one new midfielder in the summer window, though, and the Gunners are supposedly closing in on a deal to sign Youri Tielemans from Leicester City for £40m.
After beating Leeds United 2-1 on Sunday, Arteta's side can confirm their qualification for the 2022-23 Champions League by beating Tottenham Hotspur in Thursday's North London derby.
The Gunners have opened up a four-point gap to their bitter rivals with three games remaining and will aim to complete the job against either Newcastle United or Everton if they fail to overcome Spurs.
Ben Knapton
