Arsenal are set for a frantic final week of the transfer window.
The Gunners are looking to land either Thomas Partey or Houssem Aouar before October 5 to bolster their central midfield options.
But moves for either player will rely on Arsenal being able to offload players, according to The Athletic, with Lucas Torreira amongst those who could be on the way out.
And, according to Tuttosport, Arsenal’s insistence on a mandatory purchase clause in a deal for Torreira has become a “clear obstacle”.
It is claimed that Atletico Madrid and Torino are looking to sign Torreira, despite Torino chief Davide Vagnati stating the deal is “complicated” as it stands.
The Uruguayan looks set to initially leave on loan - but Arsenal are adamant that a clause to make the deal permanent must be an obligation rather than an option.
With interest in Partey and Aouar, they are keen to guarantee their windfall for Torreira rather than relying on him impressing and convincing his new club to trigger the option.
The clause could hold the key to Arsenal’s future spending by guaranteeing them a hefty fee, which would likely be paid in 2023.
But, as it stands, Torino look set to pull out of the race, with Vagnati saying: “Lucas Torreira could shift the balance. He has high costs and under these conditions it is complicated”.
If that is the case, then Arsenal will turn to Atletico to accept the obligation, and potentially strike a deal with Partey at the same time.
If they do not agree, then the Gunners will have to either consider softening their demands, but that might mean funding a deal for Aouar or Partey is not possible.
Arsenal have already had a bid rejected for Aouar and are set to come back with an improved offer.
But Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas stated this weekend they are some way off their £44m asking price for the midfielder.
“Arsenal are too far away from Houssem’s value,” Aulas said.
“We are counting on him to put in a great display away to Lorient and lead Olympique Lyonnais into the Champions League next year.”