Cesc Fabregas talks up Lucas Torreira ahead of Arsenal transfer move

Lucas Torreira has received Cesc Fabregas’ seal of approval amid speculation linking the midfielder with Arsenal. Torreira has made 74 appearances for Sampdoria since joining the Serie A outfit back in 2015 but is set to complete a £26million move to the Emirates imminently.

Sampdoria’s president confirmed earlier this week that Torreira had left the club and Arsenal are preparing to unveil the 22-year-old after the World Cup.

Arsenal fans have been desperate to watch Torreira in Russia but the midfielder has started Uruguay’s opening matches against Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the bench.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Saudi Arabia, Fabregas picked out Uruguay youngsters Rodrigo Bentancur and Torreira for future stardom.

Asked about Juventus’ Bentancur, the ex-Arsenal man told BBC Sport: ‘I think he’s one of the positives of the tournament, individually, so far.

‘He’s a young boy who signed for Juventus. He hasn’t played a lot but you can see that he has a lot of personality, likes to play, he’s not scared.

‘And for a team like Uruguay that doesn’t have a lot of ‘ballers’ or possession – they need a player like him.’ ‘They also have Torreira on the bench who I really like for Sampdoria and they break lines.’

Sampdoria’s president appeared to confirm Torreira’s move to Arsenal on Tuesday, revealing that the Uruguayan has already been sold. Massimo Ferrero told TMW: ‘Torreira has left for €30million, I bought him from Pescara when nobody believed in him.

defeat to Spain ‘We took a gamble on him and we won, paying just €3million. ‘The money that comes in will be used to capitalise the company.’