Arsenal: MLS starlet admits Gunners have been in contact about potential transfer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta laughs during a training session on 13 January, 2023.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Orlando City hotshot Facundo Torres has revealed that Arsenal have been in touch with the club about signing him.

The 22-year-old Uruguay winger – who made his country's 2022 World Cup squad – was recently linked with a move to the Premier League leaders, and he has now opened up about those rumours.

Torres provided 10 assists in 33 MLS appearances last season for Orlando, who reached the play-offs by finishing seventh in the league's Eastern Conference.

Facundo Torres of Orlando City controls the ball during the MLS match between New York Red Bulls and Orlando City on 13 August, 2022 at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, United States.

Torres in action for Orlando City (Image credit: Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)

Speaking to 90min, he confirmed Arsenal's interest, explaining:

"Orlando City confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup and I didn't want to hear about a potential transfer at that point. So the conversation stayed there – but now that I am back with the team, we will see where the conversation goes."

Torres joined Orlando from Uruguayan giants Penarol in January last year, penning a four-year contract with the Floridian club.

Arsenal haven't made any signings this month, ultimately pulling out of the race to sign Ukrainian sensation Mykhailo Mudryk – who completed a big-money move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing players in before the end of the January window, though, stating that the Gunners "will try to improve" their squad by the 31 January deadline.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...