Arsenal close to signing Uruguay star

Arsenal are believed to be close to signing Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira.

Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport said an agreement was reached on Tuesday and Uruguay international Torreira would sign a five-year contract, with the deal worth £26.3million.

The 22-year-old is with his national team, preparing for the World Cup in Russia. Uruguay play Egypt on Friday in their opening game.

Torreira has spent two seasons at Sampdoria, who he joined from fellow Italian side Pescara.

New Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is expected to continue to strengthen the squad over the summer.

Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has already arrived on a free from Juventus, while confirmation of a move for centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund is expected at the start of July.

Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno is another reported target.