Arsenal 'offered Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara in Lucas Torreira swap deal'

Arsenal's Lucas Torreira shoots at goal [REUTERS/Eddie Keogh]

Arsenal are considering letting Lucas Torreira leave for Roma in a swap deal which would see midfielder Amadou Diawara arrive at the Emirates, according to a report from Italy.

Despite impressing since joining the Gunners from Sampdoria in 2018, Torreira struggled to regain his place in Mikel Arteta's starting lineups after suffering an ankle injury in March.

The Uruguay midfielder managed just two starts after the restart in June and admitted earlier this month if he leaves Arsenal "it will be for the best".

And Torreira may follow Henrikh Mkhitaryan - who spent last season on loan at Stadio Olimpico - to Roma in a swap deal for Diawara.

AS Roma's Diego Perotti celebrates with teammate Amadou Diawara [REUTERS/Alberto Lingria]

The Italian giants were recently bought by US billionaire Dan Friedkin for £532million and the club consider themselves to have "great relations" with Arsenal, according to La Gazetta dello Sport .

Torreira is reportedly set on playing an important starting role at the club he is with and has also been linked with a move to AC Milan.

Last week the 24-year-old told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 : “Today I need to think about my future very well.

“I have a contract with the club and I have to respect it, obviously if I have to leave it will be for the best. We have to be calm and wait.”

Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Diawara struggled with two meniscus injuries but made 30 appearances as Roma finished fifth in Serie A.

The 23-year-old scored a vital penalty as the club beat Torino 3-2 in their second to last league game on their way to securing Europa League football.

To get a deal for Guinea international Diawara over the line, Arsenal are willing to offer up Torreira's services.

Diawara, who is rated at £27million, has also been linked with a number of other Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Leicester and Leeds.

Roma have already reinforced from the Premier League this window, securing the services of winger Pedro from Chelsea.