Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is keen on a move to Atletico Madrid but the two clubs are continuing to wrangle over the terms of the deal, sources have told ESPN.
The Gunners want to include Torreira in a move for Atletico midfielder Thomas Partey but the La Liga club have so far dismissed any talk of a swap or player-plus-cash agreement.
- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
Talks are at an advanced stage over Torreira joining on an initial season-long loan but the clubs are yet to decide on whether the transfer will include an option or an obligation to buy.
TOP FOOTBALL NEWS
• Messi blasts Barca, fumes over Suarez exit
• Spurs face Chelsea after Carabao Cup bye
• Solskjaer: Bailly to get Man Utd chance
• Sources: Torreira keen on Atletico move
• Arsenal to meet Liverpool twice in 4 days
• Mou, Spurs question 'small' goals
Arsenal would ideally like to recoup the majority of the £27 million they paid Sampdoria for Torreira in July 2018 and remain hopeful they can convince Atletico to link that valuation to a deal for Partey.
Partey has a £45m release clause in his contract and Atletico have been determined to stick to that valuation.
Arsenal have made Partey one of their top two midfield targets -- alongside Lyon's Houssem Aouar -- but need to raise funds for further signings through player sales and had hoped Torreira could form part of an agreement which Atletico would accept.
TRANSFERS
• How the summer transfer market works
• Kuper: Coronavirus' impact on transfers
• Barnwell's best moves: 100-51 | 50-1
• Best statement signings ever
• Summer transfer grades
• Latest completed major transfers
However, Atletico are keen to keep discussions of the two players separate and would ideally prefer to sell Hector Herrera, Thomas Lemar and Mario Hermoso to fund their own squad rebuild.
Torreira has been frozen out under Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, who refused to be drawn on the situation at a press conference to preview Monday's Premier League trip to champions Liverpool.
"We don't have any updates on Lucas or any other player at the moment," he said when asked for the latest on Torreira, who has also attracted interest from Torino and Fiorentina.
James Olley, Rodrigo Faez and David Cartlidge contributed to this report.
Source: espn.co.uk