Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has revealed Barcelona star Luis Suarez played a key role in his move to the north London side.
Torreira joined the Gunners from Sampdoria for a reported fee of £27 million where he signed for the club immediately after the World Cup tournament. He was linked with a move to Arsenal even before the World Cup and the club had to wait to land him after Uruguay was knocked out of the tournament. The 22-year-old has revealed that there was no way he could have joined any other team.
“By the time I went off to the World Cup I already knew that whatever happened, I was definitely moving to Arsenal,” he said. So at the World Cup, I was feeling relaxed and confident about the future. I think that helped me to have such a good tournament,” said Torreira.
Torreira sought advice from some of his international teammates about moving to England and former Southampton and Middles attacker as well as Suarez helped him decide.
“Luis was very helpful. He spoke to Raul [Sanllehi], who brought many players to Barcelona. I was really grateful to Luis and only a short time ago I sent him a message of thanks,” said Torreira.
“He told me how wonderful the Premier League is, describing it as the best, and he said what a great time he had at Liverpool. When we were together for internationals he would often talk about the Premier League.”
“I’m also good friends with Gaston Ramirez and he spoke about the Premier League, the stadiums and the coaching. He said that everything would be great, that it would be a good move for me and now I’m seeing everything he talked about with my own eyes.”
Torreira, who his side Arsenal will take on Cardiff City on Sunday 2nd, is yet to start a Premier League match as he has been used as a substitute in the last three matches.