Arsenal are in advanced negotiations with Serie A outfit Sampdoria over the transfer of Uruguay international midfielder Lucas Torreira, according to the Telegraph. 

What's the latest, then?

The Telegraph report that the structure of payments has been the crux of the conversations between the two clubs, which suggests that the 22-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup with his country, is keen to join Unai Emery's Arsenal revolution.

They go on to say that the Gunners are willing to pay £25m or more for the holding midfielder, provided that the cost can be spread out across the space of a number of years.

It also reports that a contract offer has been made to Aaron Ramsey - the Welshman's current deal expires at the end of next season - indicating that Emery is keen to keep the midfielder in his plans.

Xhaka, Torreira and Ramsey offers balance in a 4-2-3-1

Emery's preferred system is the 4-2-3-1 formation, which offers reinforced protection for the back four and that could prove beneficial for Arsenal given their prolonged defensive struggles.

Neither Xhaka or Torreira is a pure defensive midfielder as they both like to get on the ball and play but together, they could provide a technical, dynamic and robust shield for the Gunners backline as Emery sets about beefing up a team that had become a soft touch under Arsene Wenger.

In front of that, Ramsey could burst forward from midfield. Many observers may expect Mesut Ozil to take up the number 10 spot, but if he is fielded from the left, with three genuine central midfielders behind him, that could be a way to remedy the German's continued struggles and Arsenal's lack of conventional widemen.

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