One of the big surprises in Serie A this season has to be Sampdoria’s Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira. The player, who turns 21 next February, was born on the town of Fray Bentos, which has only 20,000 inhabitants and was actually discovered by Pescara scout Roberto Druda whilst playing for Montivideo Wanderers.
 

Druda took him to Pescara in December 2013 for a trail period and Torreira failed to convince playing as an attacking midfielder. Just as it seemed as though a quick return to his homeland was on the cards, Sporting Director Giorgio Repetto decided he was worth another try. Coach Massimo Oddo converted him from playmaker to director sitting deeper in midfield where he excelled and alerted the attentions of Sampdoria who paid €2 million (plus half of Michele Fornasier) to take him to the Marassi.  

One person who is certainly smiling about Torreira’s impressive performances is Samp president Massimo Ferrero who has now placed a value of around €10 million on his man. Roma have been following him since the turn of the year and the excellent relationship between the two clubs puts them in pole-position. Calciomercato.com has also learned that Spanish side Sevilla have also expressed an interest and could it be that after Correa left Samp for Andalusia, there could be more business done between the two clubs?


By Daniele Longo. Translated by Steve Mitchell