With Orlando City SC‘s 2022 Major League Soccer season kicking off against CF Montréal on February 27, this off-season is a short one for the Lions to navigate.
With Chris Mueller and Nani moving on, Orlando City SC were yesterday linked with Uruguayan winger Facundo Torres – the first transfer rumour of the winter so far.
According to Uruguayan source El Observador, Orlando City SC is close to an agreement for 21-year-old Peñarol winger Facundo Torres.
In a translated version of El Observador‘s original article, they claim “there is an official interest on the part of Orlando City SC”.
It continues “talks are advanced for Torres to leave Peñarol as soon as the Uruguayan Championship ends.”
In terms of a transfer fee, Facundo Torres has a release clause of US$20 million.
However, Orlando City UK understands Peñarol would be willing to accept between US$10 million and US$14 million for Torres.
Facundo Torres is already a senior Uruguay international and wears the number 10 jersey for Peñarol, Uruguay’s most successful club.
Orlando City UK found out a little more about the highly-rated wide man who is reportedly interesting the Orlando City SC Front Office.
Who is Facundo Torres?
Facundo Torres is a left winger currently playing for Uruguayan Primera División giants Peñarol.
21-years-old, he can also play as a right winger or secondary striker too, according to Transfermarkt
A youth academy product of Peñarol, Facundo Torres made his professional debut for Carboneros in August 2020.
Debuting in a 2-0 victory over Boston River, it was a debut to remember for the 20-year-old.
Subbed in for Matías de los Santos (46 minutes), Facundo Torres scored Peñarol’s opening goal in just five minutes.
It was some introduction for Torres, a fresh-faced native of Las Piedras, belonging to Montevideo’s wider metropolitan area.
To date, Facundo Torres has made 49 Uruguayan Primera División appearances for Peñarol, scoring 10 goals.
International recognition with Uruguay
Internationally speaking, Facundo Torres has significant pedigree in Uruguay’s youth ranks too.
Part of the Uruguay squad that finished runners-up at the 2015 South American U-15 Championship, he remains the all-time top scorer of Uruguay’s Under-17 national team too.
His exploits for both club and Uruguay’s youth ranks earned Facundo Torres senior international recognition in March 2021.
Named in Uruguay’s 35-man preliminary squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Argentina and Bolivia, COVID-19 unfortunately meant that CONMEBOL suspended these matches.
Facundo Torres would only have to wait three months to make his senior bow for Uruguay however.
An extremely proud moment for the player, Torres debuted in a World Cup Qualifier against Paraguay, replacing Jonathan Rodríguez as a 66th minute substitute in June 2021.
Uruguay head coach Óscar Tabárez also included Facundo Torres in a 26-man squad that competed at the 2021 Copa América alongside senior men Diego Godín, Luis Suárez, and Federico Valverde.
To date, Facundo Torres has made 10 senior international appearances for La Celeste.
Elsewhere, according to Transfermarkt, Facundo Torres is left-footed and stands at 5 ft 10 in.
Do Orlando City SC need Facundo Torres?
With Chris Mueller and Nani departing Exploria Stadium this off-season, Orlando City SC definitely need reinforcements out wide.
Back in the summer, the Orlando City SC Front Office were reportedly sniffing around South American gems Julián Álvarez and Facundo Farías.
On this evidence, it would seem the Lions have a particular profile of player in mind.
It seems City are intent on signing a young South American forward with plenty of potential and sell-on value.
Facundo Torres fits this profile too.
Could he fill a Young Designated Player slot? Only time will tell.
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