Arsenal have now taken a major step towards securing the signing of a new midfielder who could potentially be a replacement for Granit Xhaka, according to reports on Friday. 

The Gunners have been active in the transfer market so far this summer after choosing to replace Arsene Wenger with former Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery.

And following the arrival of Stephan Lichtsteiner earlier in the week, the new Arsenal manager is chasing the services of Sampdoria star Lucas Torreira.

According to a report by Italian source SampNews24, the Serie A side have reached an agreement with Arsenal, who are to pay the £21.9million (€25million) release clause in Torreira’s contract.

The 22-year-old is a hard-working holding midfielder and the Gunners are believed to be one of several big clubs who have been tracking his performances.

A deal to sign Torreira could help improve Arsenal’s understrength midfield which was often criticised last season after inconsistent displays from Granit Xhaka in particular.

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