At the start of Orlando City SC‘s off-season, there’s already a huge transfer rumour surfacing. Premier League giants Arsenal have today been linked with a January swoop for Facundo Torres.
The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings claims “the Gunners are due to hold talks with the Uruguayan international’s agent as they target a right winger to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.”
Back on July 20, Facundo Torres scored an equaliser against Arsenal. This was in a 1-3 mid-season friendly loss at Exploria Stadium.
In the FC Series Clash of Nations 2022, Mikel Arteta earned a first-hand look at how talented 22-year-old Torres is.
Today’s Evening Standard article also claims “Arsenal’s interest in Torres is believed to be partly born out of the findings of scout Toni Lima.”
In his debut Major League Soccer season, Designated Player Facundo Torres tallied nine goals and ten assists.
This was across 33 games (2,600) minutes for Orlando City SC.
Elsewhere, Torres almost single-handedly won the Lions the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
Scoring a brace in a historic 3-0 victory over Sacramento Republic, the performance earned “Facu” instant legendary status.
On October 21, Torres was named in Uruguay’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside City team-mate César Araújo.
It remains to be seen whether head coach Diego Alonso will include Torres in his final 26-man squad.
However, a January transfer to Arsenal would likely herald Torres being more of a regular fixture for La Celeste.
As for Arsenal, Nicolas Pépé is currently on a season-long loan to Nice, and Marquinhos is still a fledgling talent.
It’s true that the Gunners could do with some right wing competition for the standout Bukayo Saka.
That said, forgotten man Reiss Nelson did throw his hat into the ring on Sunday.
The 22-year-old scored two goals in Arsenal’s 5-0 Premier League demolition of Nottingham Forest.
Orlando City SC, on the other hand, know that they cannot keep a genuine talent like Facundo Torres long-term, but would still harbour hope of seeing Torres in purple again come 2023.
Currently contracted until December 31, 2025, a transfer to Arsenal would further validate Orlando City SC as a legitimate breeding ground for talent too.
Being a die-hard Arsenal and Orlando City SC supporter myself, this Facundo Torres transfer rumour is certainly one I will be following closely this off-season.
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