Heartbroken Torreira wants to leave Arsenal and go home

It’s not very often that you hear a South American player in his prime years say loudly and clearly that he wants to leave Europe and go back home. Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira lost his way at Arsenal and is having a poor loan spell with Atletico Madrid. But none of those things are nearly as bad as the news he received from his native Uruguay – his mother Viviana Di Pascua passed away due to Covid-19 complications.

The tragic news hit the 25-year-old hard and he wishes to return to South America to be closer to his family in these difficult times.

"My mother was 53 years old and died from Covid. She spent 11 days fighting but on Monday morning I received the worst news. I asked Atletico for some time off. Boss Diego Simeone understood everything and they gave me a week, but I asked to stay for a little longer. On Sunday I will probably return. I have to do my duty and life must continue. Atletico have been very good to me and it’s important. I have to be there, no matter how much it hurts, as there’s a month and a half of competition left. Hopefully, I can end up winning La Liga."

Lucas is done with Arsenal (©AFP)

It’s with a heavy heart that the former Sampdoria star has to return to Spain to get on with his job. He will be due to return to Arsenal at the end of the season as he still has another year left on the contract he’d signed with the Gunners upon arriving to the Emirates in 2018. However, the Uruguay international hopes he will be back in South America sooner.

His hometown in Uruguay is close to the border with Argentina and is just a few hours away from the city of Buenos Aires, the home of Lucas’ beloved Boca Juniors. The tough-tackling midfielder now sees Boca as his ideal destination. The financial side of the transfer could prove a stumbling block, however, with the Argentinean giants probably unable to afford the transfer fee.

"I want to be close to my family. My father, crying, told me that it was time to play for Boca. I always liked Boca, I’m yet to experience La Bombonera, it’s something that I have deep inside me and I have to indulge myself. Hopefully Arsenal and Boca Juniors will agree and give a year on loan in Argentina. I don’t know how many millions I am worth but for Boca it is a lot of money."

Torreira simply can’t see himself going back to London after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Mikel Arteta, who brought in Thomas Partey to play in that position. This is why leaving England would be the best thing for all sides involved.

"Arsenal hurt me and at Atletico I don’t play as much I would like. I just want to play for Boca Juniors and I have made the decision. I want to do it for my old man. He asked me and I’m going to do it. It’s not a crazy decision because of my mother. I have always said that I want to play for Boca. I’m dying to play for Boca and I will always say it."

Torreira has a good understanding with fellow Uruguayan Edinson Cavani (©AFP)

Lucas Torreira is not the only Uruguayan who could be joining the Argentinean giants. Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani could also be heading to the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. The heartbroken Lucas would welcome it.

"I talk a lot with Cavani, he’s a great guy. I hope I can come and share a team with him. We have a nice relationship."

Sometimes it’s not about the money or playing in a high-quality competition. Sometimes you simply have to do what your heart tells you to.