Torreira Begs Arsenal For Boca Juniors Move
Lucas Torreira has begged Arsenal to sanction a move to Boca Juniors following the death of his mother in order to be closer to his family in South America.
Torreira is currently on a season-long loan move at Atletico Madrid, where he has made 22 appearances in all competitions and scored one goal.
The 25-year-old Uruguay international joined Arsenal from Sampdoria in the summer of 2018 and won the FA Cup with the Gunners last season but he fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta before being shipped to Spain on a temporary deal.
Torreira was rocked with the news of his mother’s death earlier this week and he now wants to return to South America to grief with his family.
“I am trying to understand the situation. It is difficult to come to terms with it but as time passes, we will come to live with this pain,” Torreira told ESPN Argentina.
“My mother was 53 years old and died from Covid. There was an outbreak in Fray Bentos (Torreira's hometown in Uruguay) and she spent 11 days fighting but on Monday morning I received the worst news.
“I asked Atletico for some time off. Cholo (manager 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.
“It’s not a violent emotion, 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. The night my mother died, one of the first to hear the news was my agent. I don’t want to play in Europe anymore, I want to play for Boca.”
“I want to be close to my home, my family. I have a contract at Arsenal and I am on loan at Atletico but I want to go to Boca. I hope the clubs can agree,” he added.
“It’s been two years since I was enjoying myself personally, I haven’t had continuity. Arsenal hurt me and at Atletico, I don’t play like I want.
“Nobody from Boca called, they sent me a shirt. And the day Boca played Santos, I sent a message to encourage them.
“I just want to play for Boca. I have made my decision. I will do it for my father. He asked me and I’m going to do it.”
