Arsenal have rebuffed a low-ball offer from Fiorentina for Lucas Torreira - and Mikel Arteta could be stuck with the out-of-favour midfielder and left out of pocket if the two sides cannot come to an agreement for the 26-year-old.
Torreira impressed for the Italian outfit during a season-long loan stint in Serie A last year. The midfield enforcer racked up 35 appearances in all competitions and was a key player for Vincenzo Italiano's side, who are keen to strike a permanent deal for the Arsenal man this summer.
However, the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement on a deal after Fiorentina failed to trigger their €15million (£12.8m) option to purchase Torreira on a permanent basis. Fiorentina are now trying to negotiate a new price for the midfielder - but they have seriously irked the Arsenal hierarchy with their latest offer.
That's according to Fiorentina.it, who claim that the Italian side have tabled an offer of just €7m (£6m) for Torreira. Unsurprisingly, that offer - which is substantially lower than the previously agreed sum that was included in the initial deal that took Torreira to Florence - has left the Gunners 'annoyed'.
Arsenal have not even responded to the proposal and it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to thrash out an agreement for Torreira, who has just over 12 months remaining on his current deal at the Emirates. Arsenal are keen to cash in on the midfielder, who has become a peripheral figure under Arteta, in order to give the Spaniard more room to maneuver in the transfer market this summer.
The Gunners could be forced to sell a host of fringe players to raise funds after missing out on the riches of the Champions League - but they could end up stuck with Torreira if Fiorentina refuse to up their bid for their former loan star.
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Torreira once again reiterated his desire to move to Florence on a permanent basis over the weekend. However, he did concede that he is prepared to look elsewhere to ensure he continues to get regular first-team action.
The midfielder said: "My idea is to be able to stay at Fiorentina , but if that doesn’t happen I’ll look for a team where I can have continuity.
"At the moment I don’t know anything at all, I just want to rest, take a break because it’s been a busy season. In due course I will sit down with my agent and we will do so to find the best options."
