Arsenal news round-up: Torreira future, Bellerin gets advice, Arteta wants Fekir

Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira is ready to return to the club in the summer, provided manager Mikel Arteta gives him assurances of game time at the Emirates.

The Uruguayan signed for Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan stint last summer, shortly before the Ghana international Thomas Partey’s £45m transfer in the opposite direction.

However, Lucas has struggled for minutes in Madrid, starting just three La Liga matches this season with Diego Simeone’s side currently top of the league.

Los Rojiblancos do not have an option to permanently sign Lucas in the midfielder’s loan deal and it appears unlikely that he’d want to do so in any case.

That leaves Lucas’ options limited but the Athletic claim he is open to a return to the Emirates if Mikel tells him he’s part of his plans.

The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Sampdoria in 2018 for a sum of around £22m and he initially proved a hit with fans, particularly after his man-of-the-match performance in a 4-2 win over rivals Tottenham.

But Arteta’s appointment did little to help his chances of long-term success at the Emirates, with the head coach failing to take a liking to the midfielder.

The South American was sent on loan in the hope that a campaign away from the Emirates could boost his value but he will have just two years left on his deal by the time he returns this summer.

The club must therefore decide whether they can integrate him into the roster next term or take a hit by selling him, with offers in the region of £11-£12m expected.

Spaniard backed to part ways with Arsenal for fresh challenge

The Spain international Hector Bellerin could quit Arsenal this summer transfer market because he needs a fresh challenge.

That’s the view of ex-Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna, who says he sees similarities in Hector’s situation at the Emirates with his own.

Bacary spent seven years with the Gunners before signing for Manchester City back in 2014, at a time when the Frenchman was considered one of the best full-backs in the division.

The Frenchman felt his professional career was stagnating in north London and he needed a new challenge, with the former Auxerre ace spending three seasons with City.

Paris Saint-Germain were keen on signing Bellerin in a £25m deal last summer and Bacary believes it could be time for his former team-mate to depart the club.

‘Hector has been there for years,’ he told Goal. ‘He started playing not long after I left, so he has been in the team for like six years.

‘And a bit like I felt, he probably feels that he wants to challenge himself because he has been there for a long time. ‘It’s nothing to do with the club, nothing to do with winning cups or whatever.

‘At some point if you want to progress, in my mind you need to go somewhere and challenge yourself and start from zero again. This is how I felt.

‘Hector’s still young, he still has five good years to play at the top level and he can do it. So, if he left now, I wouldn’t be surprised.’

Arsenal coach readying move for former Lyon skipper

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will reportedly instruct his board to target France and Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir if a deal falls through to retain the services of Real Madrid ace Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian ace is set to return to the Bernabeu in the summer as Arsenal failed to install a clause in the player’s loan deal to permanently sign the talent.

It’s unclear whether the La Liga side will listen to offers for the star but it appears more likely that Martin will be sent out on another season-long loan.

The Gunners are keen to keep Odegaard but they would prefer to sign him permanently and considering that avenue appears closed off, Arsenal are exploring their options in the transfer market.

The 27-year-old Nabil was a target for the Gunners two years ago before he left Lyon for Betis, while the star reportedly failed a medical after agreeing to sign for Liverpool in 2018.

The France international has an exit clause of around £77m in his contract but Betis would be ready to listen to offers of around £26m, according to Goal.

The Spaniards have been heavily affected by the pandemic and have conceded that they will need to balance the books this summer by selling off some of their key players.