How Luis Suarez was the surprise key to Arsenal signing Lucas Torreira

Torreira’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, says that Suarez had a significant role in his decision to join the Gunners

Luis Suarez is the latest player to join an emerging trend of footballers trying their hand at being football agents.

The Barcelona and Uruguay striker advised Lucas Torreira to join Arsenal this summer, according to the midfielder’s agent. Suarez himself was close to joining Arsenal in 2013 but decided against it after talking to Steven Gerrard.

Torreira’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, says that Suarez had a significant role in his decision to join the Gunners for a transfer fee in the region of £24m after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals with Uruguay.

“The recommendation of Luis Suarez was decisive for Torreira to arrive at Arsenal,” Bantancur told Uruguay radio station Sport890.

Torreira impressed Unai Emery at the World Cup and was seen as the ideal replacement for Jack Wilshere, who ended his 17-year association with the North London club by joining West Ham.

More players to beginning to take recommendations from people they trust before committing their future to new clubs. Crystal Palace’s £10m signing Cheikhou Kouyate sought advice from compatriot Pape Souare before switching West Ham for south London. “I spoke to Pape Soaure and he said, ‘I don’t want to hear about any problems, I’m telling you, come!”

Arsenal have concluded all their transfer business and brought five new players through the doors at the Emirates. Matteo Guendouzi, Bernd Leno, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopolous all accompany Torreira in joining Arsenal.

The 22-year-old midfielder played his first game for Arsenal in a Friendly against Lazio on Sunday and could be fit in time for Arsenal’s opening match of the season against Manchester City on Sunday.