Torreira opens up on talks with Mourinho to finally land Arsenal transfer exit

Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira has revealed that he has held talks with Jose Mourinho over a potential switch to AS Roma.

Torreira has spent the last two years out on loan and was expected to depart the Emirates Stadium on a permanent basis this summer after impressing during his stint at Fiorentina last term. However, the Italian outfit have been unable to strike a deal for the Uruguayan enforcer, who is now set to participate in the Gunners' pre-season tour of the United States.

But the 26-year-old could still be on the move in the coming weeks - and he has hinted that Roma could be a possible destination after talks with Mourinho, who enjoyed a successful first year at the helm in Italy after his surprise appointment last summer.

In an interview with Uruguayan media, Torreira teased: "Roma? Yes, there is a possibility. I spoke to Mourinho a while ago. I admire him as a coach. It's an opportunity that tempts me a lot, but it's not easy."

Torreira is keen on a return to Italy given that he was expecting to join Fiorentina permanently. However, the Italian outfit failed to trigger the option that was included in the initial deal for the combative midfielder and instead tried to renegotiate with the Gunners - leaving Torreira in limbo when the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.

Although Torreira was set on returning to La Viola, the midfielder hasn't been short of suitors since his potential switch collapsed. According to a previous report from TuttoMercatoWeb, Juventus were also interested in acquiring Torreira's services earlier this summer, while La Liga clubs have also been credited with an interest in the ex-Sampdoria man.

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Even though Torreira has been called up for the Gunners' pre-season tour of the United States, it appears unlikely that there is any way back for the midfielder at the Emirates given that the Londoners captured Fabio Vieira in a £34million deal last month.

And Torreira himself was adamant that there was "no chance" of him salvaging his career with the Gunners. Speaking last month, Torreira said bluntly: "There is no chance [of staying at Arsenal].

"From the beginning they told me that I didn't have a place, so I don't want to stay either because I suffered a lot, it cost me a lot to adapt and my idea is to go to Italy or Spain. What I wanted was to stay at Fiorentina, but it didn't happen for various reasons, so we'll look for a new direction."