Torreira's agent: Napoli would've been perfect had Arsenal deal collapsed

If Lucas Torreira's agent had it his way, the Uruguayan international would have signed on with Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli side rather than Arsenal.

The 22-year-old was being courted by Napoli this summer, but a transfer to the Serie A side was delayed during a period of uncertainty when the club was sorting out their managerial situation.

The uncertainty at Napoli ultimately worked in Arsenal's favor, as the Premier League outfit eventually signed Torreira for £26.4 million in July.

Despite insisting that his client is happy in north London, Pablo Bentancur admitted he would have loved to see Torreira develop under the tutelage of Ancelotti, who replaced Maruzio Sarri in May before the Italian was appointed manager of Chelsea two months later.

"It's a pity, I'm sorry Ancelotti wasn't there at the start of the negotiation," Bentancur said, according to Mattias Karen of ESPN FC. "He'd have been a great help for Torreira, he has tremendous international experience. But then Lucas called me and he confirmed to me that negotiations with Arsenal were too advanced for any second thoughts.

"If the Arsenal deal had collapsed then Napoli would have been perfect."

Although he's adapting well to life in the Premier League, Torreira has yet to start a match under Arsenal manager Unai Emery in the opening three league matches.