Torreira's father sends transfer message over Arsenal star's future

Lucas Torreira's father has issued his most bullish transfer warning yet by insisting the midfielder will push to leave Arsenal this summer.

Ricardo Torreira has been vocal about his son's future over the last month, following the sad news of his wife's death.

He begged the Gunners to let Torreira, 25, join boyhood club Boca Juniors to be nearer his family in Uruguay.

In response, Mikel Arteta called for patience over the situation, insisting nothing can be arranged at present as Torreira is on loan at Atletico Madrid.

But Ricardo Torreira has sent another message to Emirates chiefs, telling them his son will look to leave even if Boca cannot sign him.

"The arrival of Lucas Torreira to Boca will be quite difficult, there hasn’t been a movement of the situation," Ricardo Torreira told El Show de Boca .

"It happened only from a wish, we generated an inconvenience to Boca. Probably, I don’t know if Boca are in a position to face what Arsenal will ask for Lucas’ loan.

"I don’t know… maybe for that money he can get a number 5 in South America."

Acknowledging Boca Juniors may struggle to sign or loan Torreira from Arsenal, Ricardo said his son will look to move to Serie A or Ligue 1 if a deal with the Argentine giants does not materialise.

He added: "Surely, I do not think Lucas will play for Arsenal this year. If it’s not Boca, his destiny will be Italy or France.

"We are left with the desire, instead of generating joy we generate an inconvenience to Boca’s leadership."

Torreira - who has 26 caps for Uruguay - played for Italian clubs Pescara and Sampdoria before sealing a £26million move to Arsenal in 2018.

He has made 89 appearances for the Gunners, helping them clinch FA Cup glory last season, and has two years remaining on his contract.