Arsenal in talks with Torreira as Adli set to snub Gunners for new PSG deal

Paris Saint-Germain youngster Yacine Adli is expected to turn down Arsenal after being persuaded by PSG sporting director Antero Henrique to sign a new contract, Goal understands, though talks between the Emirates side and Sampdoria's Lucas Torreira are ongoing.

The 17-year-old had initially agreed to join the Gunners upon the expiration of his contract at the Parc des Princes, with new Gunners head coach Unai Emery playing a significant part in persuading Adli to join the club.

Adli was in London over the weekend to meet his agent who lives in the city, but Goal has learned that no talks with Arsenal took place during his short stay in the capital.

However, Henrique is now understood to have offered Adli assurances which include the promise of further first-team opportunities.

An attacking midfielder who has played for his country at Under-16, U-17 and U-18 level with France, Adli has scored 13 goals in 23 appearances at national team level.

Despite a lack of first-team experience, he has been a regular in the PSG squad that competed in the UEFA Youth League, turning out alongside the likes of USA international Timothy Weah for the young Parisians last season.

The Ligue 1 champions, meanwhile, have struggled to retain much of the best talent coming through their youth system in recent times, with their prospects frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities on offer at Parc des Princes.

As such, Claudio Gomes and Dan-Axel Zagadou have left for the likes of Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in recent times. 

Arsenal meanwhile are in talks with Sampdoria over the signing of 22-year-old defensive midfielder Torreira. The Uruguay international has a €25m (£22m) release clause in his deal with the Serie A club and while the transfer fee is not likely to become a sticking point, the Gunners still need to reach an agreement with the player’s representatives. 

Torreira is one of several players identified to improve Arsenal’s spine this summer, with a new goalkeeper and defender also being targeted. Confirmation of Sokratis Papastaphopoulos’ arrival at Emirates Stadium looks set to come at the beginning of July as Borussia Dortmund do not want the transfer to go through until the next fiscal year.