Torino manager Marco Giampaolo has been in direct contact with Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira about a possible return to Italy, according to Tuttosport.

Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina are also said to be keen on the 24-year-old but Giampaolo was the midfielder’s former boss at Sampdoria and he is hoping to persuade the player into moving to Torino.

Tuttosport claim Giampaolo “spoke on the phone” with Torreira as he is aware the Uruguayan international is keen on leaving the Emirates in order to return to Serie A this summer.

The biggest obstacle to Torino snapping up the midfielder, though, is the player’s price tag and wages. Arsenal are reportedly demanding €20m (£18m) but Torino can only afford a loan with an option to buy.

Torreira is also earning around €3m (£2.7m) a season at the Gunners and it is thought that Torino will only be able to afford two-thirds of his salary, around €2m (£1.8m).