International transfer guru Fabrizio Romano dropped the latest update regarding Orlando City superstar winger Facundo Torres and a potential transfer to English giants Arsenal.
Facundo Torres reveals: "Orlando confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup... we will see now how it goes", tells 90min 🇺🇾 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 17, 2023
"I would love to play in Europe. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid", Torres added. pic.twitter.com/8fpKOG4Kab
90min.com reported the news that Arsenal's interest in Orlando's talisman was genuine and that the young Uruguayan is interested in a potential move.
Right now, this is not huge news for Orlando City. Torres will eventually be sold on to Europe, that's only a question of when not if. That's the primary reason Orlando signed a player of Torres' profile. If a club like Arsenal wants to swoop in and sign Torres, that's a massive sucess for Orlando City.
The problem for the Lions is timing. With the Major League Soccer season and Concacaf Champions League starting soon, selling Torres in this January window would be a massive blow at a pivotal part of the season.
Orlando has made several big signings to bolster its forward core, but Torres is the face of the franchise and the team's best player. The Uruguayan winger scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in league play last season, and he was also Orlando's best player in the team's succesful US Open Cup campaign.
Arsenal could have genuine interest in Torres this window. The Gunners narrowly missed out on signing Ukrainian wonder kid Mykhailo Mudryk to London rivals Chelsea. After missing on Mudryk, Arsenal could turn to Torres as another talented young winger to supplement the team.
Orlando City signed another Designated Player winger Martín Ojeda and reportedly U22 striker Ramiro Enrique. The club also brought in U22 winger Gastón González last season, and he'll finally be healthy and available this season.
That depth of talent should be able to carry Orlando for awhile should Torres be sold to Arsenal or elsewhere before the end of the month. If the Lions have any hope of advancing in CCL, though, they need to keep Torres at least till the summer. If a European power comes calling, though, it'll be impossible to say no.