CLEANING HOUSE: Arsenal and the three players they're looking to move
The Gunners have done some interesting signings, but now the focus is on the players they have to move
Arsenal did a fantastic job in this summer window. So far, they've managed to reinforce all the positions they needed to boost, mostly managing to bring their top targets like Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, that also means shifting along some of the players that won't have as many minutes in the coming season.
The first of those is undoubtedly Bernd Leno. The German goalkeeper arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2018, under recommendation of then head of scouts Sven Mislintat. Costing some £22,5 million, the former Bayer Leverkusen man quickly proved an improvement over existing options Petr Cech and David Ospina, and a very astute signing at times when Alisson of Liverpool and Kepa Arribalaga of Chelsea were breaking transfer fee records for goalies.
Bernd Leno lost his spot as Arsenal No.1 in an instant
However, an injury that gave the Gunners the chance to play Emiliano Martinez showed there were options beyond him and then a drop in level right at the time when Arsenal signed Aaron Ramsdale sealed his fate as a number two keeper. Unwilling to accept the role, Leno will be moving to Fulham, who're back on the Premier League. It's been reported a fee £8 million it's all that was required to pry him away from North London, with Leno signing a three year, £7 million per season deal.
Next on the list is undoubtedly Lucas Torreira. The Uruguayan was a breath of fresh air right at the start of the Unai Emery era. Seen as the holding midfielder Arsenal was lacking arguably since the departure of Patrick Vieira, the Gunners paid Sampdoria £26 million for Torreira in 2018. He started life at Arsenal well enough, putting solid performances, but a change in tactics by Emery, who insisted on using him as a box to box, led to a drop in form and then dropping from the team.
Lucas Torreira had everything to be success at Arsenal, but he failed to adapt to life in England
Two loan spells (an unsuccesful one at Atletico Madrid and a solid one at Fiorentina) failed to change his luck. Now, rumours are linking him with a move to Turkish side Galatasary, for £7 million, with Torreira signing a £2.5 million per year contract for three seasons. With Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta making it abundantly clear that he does not consider him a top option, the move is set to go through.
Last but not least, Pablo Marí. The 28 year old Spaniard arrived at Arsenal originally on loan from Brazilian giants Flamengo, as an emergency stop gap in early after Gabriel Magalhaes was injured in early 2020. The Gunners then made the move permanent, paying £5.4 million for Marí, but he has since shown not to be of the standard of player that Arsenal needs, and with William Saliba returning from loan, he'll have even less minutes.
Pablo Marí spent the second half of last season on loan at Udinese
For now, Marí's main candidates are Hellas Verona and Monza from Serie A. For now, there are few figures available, but the move is set to be done on the cheap as Arsenal don't want to hold Marí back from continuing his career, nor do they need to sell high.
Continue reading: They sold him for 53 MILLIONS to Chelsea and now they WANT HIM BACK
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