Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has been pictured at an Italian airport as he prepares to finalise his switch to Galatasaray.
The Uruguay international was always expected to head for the Emirates exit door this summer after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta in the 2019-20 campaign.
Torreira returned to London Colney for pre-season training and was involved in the club's pre-season tour of the USA, but he did not force his way back into Arteta's plans.
With Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga ahead of Torreira in the pecking order, the 26-year-old is now on the verge of sealing his expected departure.
Journalist Luca Bendoni caught a glimpse of Torreira at the Milano Linate Prime Airport in Italy, as a private jet prepares to fly him to Istanbul.
Excl - Lucas Torreira has arrived to Milano Linate Prime Airport. 📸👇
— Luca Bendoni (@LucaBendoni) August 6, 2022
Galatasaray's private jet is now set to fly to Brussels in order to reach Dries Mertens. Then, landing in Istanbul. 🛩 #Galatasaray
"How do I feel? Good", he tells me. Exc @DiMarzio @SkySport pic.twitter.com/gbfw4yuvXH
Bendoni asked Torreira how he felt about his imminent move to Galatasaray, to which the former Sampdoria man simply replied: "Good".
Torreira is alleged to have initially stalled over a move to the Turkish giants, as he wanted more time to figure out his future before coming to a final decision.
However, the midfielder ultimately accepted the proposal that was tabled to him and is reportedly set to sign a three-year deal with the Istanbul outfit until the summer of 2025.
Galatasaray recently confirmed on their website that negotiations were in progress with Arsenal over a move for Torreira, posting: "Official negotiations have started with the football player and his club, The Arsenal Football Club PLC, regarding the transfer of professional football player Lucas Sebastian Torreira Di Pascua to our club. It is announced to the public with respect."
Arsenal will pocket a minimum of €6m (£5m) and much as €7m (£5.9m) for Torreira's departure, four years after shelling out £25.8m to sign him from Sampdoria.
© Reuters
Torreira leaves Arsenal after racking up four goals and six assists from 89 appearances for the North London club, winning one FA Cup during his time in North London.
A serious ankle injury derailed Torreira's 2019-20 season at Arsenal, and he also failed to become a regular starter with Atletico Madrid in the 2020-21 season.
The South American was expected to seal a switch to Boca Juniors last year before reigniting his career on loan at Fiorentina with five goals and two assists from 31 Serie A matches.
La Viola ultimately passed up the chance to convert his stay into a permanent one for a £12.5m fee, which led to Torreira issuing a strongly-worded statement on social media, accusing Fiorentina chiefs of acting "in a bad way".
The midfielder follows the likes of Bernd Leno, Matteo Guendouzi, Dinos Mavropanos and Alexandre Lacazette out of the Emirates exit door in the summer transfer window.
Ben Knapton
