Arsenal ‘agree deal’ with Atletico Madrid for Lucas Torreira that could include Thomas Partey

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid for Lucas Torreira while Thomas Partey could be going the other way.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a defensive midfielder in the summer after identifying it as a problematic position.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to allow their anchorman Lucas Torreira to leave the club, with Fiorentina and Torino both looking to strike a loan deal for the South American.

Uruguay international midifelder struggled to impress at the Emirates last campaign, with the midfield pairing of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos being preferred by Arsenal head-coach Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have been devoid of a strong’ defensive midfielder for some time now.

They have not had a specialist in the position since Gilberto Silva, while current options Torreira and Granit Xhaka are not those kind of players.

And the former is keen on leaving after being ostracised from the squad.

Torreira has barely featured under Arteta and is desperate to go in search of first-team football.

Furthermore, the North London club have also welcomed Egypt international star, Mohamed Elneny back into the fold, while highly-rated pair Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey and are both being rumoured with moves to the Emirates Stadium.

As a result, The Guardian reports that Torino and Fiorentina are set to battle it out for his signature, and the North London club are open to a loan or permanent exit for the 24-year-old.

The report also suggests that a fee of £18m could be enough to prise the former Sampdoria man away from North London, and Torreira himself is keen on a return to the Italian top flight.

The Uruguay international is under contract at Arsenal until 2023, where he has totalled 89 games and four times across all competitions since being signed by Unai Emery.