Arsenal are in talks for January transfer from Facundo Torres to rivals Bukayo Saka

Arsenal will hold talks with the Uruguayan international as they target the right winger to challenge Bukayo Saka.

Torres has excelled in MLS this season, scoring nine goals and providing ten assists. Arsenal’s transfer for the 22-year-old is still in an early stage and it remains to be seen whether they will finalize a deal for him after discussions with his representatives and Orlando.

Torres, who played and scored against Arsenal in pre-season friendlies, only joined Orlando in January, leaving Uruguayan Penarol for around £ 7.75m and signing a four-year deal with an option for another 12 months. .

Arsenal’s interest in Torres is believed to have been partly due to the insights of scout Tony Lima. Since the appointment of manager Edu at Emirates Stadium in 2019, the club has taken a data-driven approach to identifying talent.

But Arsenal are still using traditional scouting tactics and Lima, nominated in 2021, have a track record in identifying talent in South America and are credited with being among the first to spot Neymar and Philippe Coutinho.

Arsenal have chased several right winger over the past year, including Wolverhampton’s Pedro Neto and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mikhailo Modric.

Torres represents one of the largest agencies in Uruguay and also oversees Manchester United star Facundo Pellistri.

In addition to talks with Arsenal over Torres, the agency is expected to meet Manchester United to discuss Belistry’s future as clubs in Europe seek to lend the 20-year-old on loan in January after the World Cup.