Torres scored against Arsenal during pre-season (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are weighing up a move for Orlando City forward Facundo Torres as they seek to bring in cover and competition for Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners are interested in signing the Uruguay international who has scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in the MLS this season.
The move is at an early stage, according to the Evening Standard, with Arsenal set to hold talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives.
Torres joined Orlando from Uruguayan side Penarol in January, scoring against Mikel Arteta’s side during a pre-season friendly.
Arsenal have been tracking a number of wingers over the last 12 months, having held talks to sign Neto from Wolves during the summer transfer window and also holding interest in signing Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The club are looking at options who can provide another option on the right of attack with Saka starting all 12 of his side’s Premier League games this term in addition to two in the Europa League.
Having contributed five goals and five assists, Saka has played at least 82 minutes in all of Arsenal’s league fixtured with the exception of Sunday’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest where he was forced off injured inside half an hour.
Arteta wants competition and cover for Saka (Picture: Getty)
Reiss Nelson offered a valuable alternative, however, scoring twice and providing an assist in a superb second-half at the Emirates.
‘I think not only me but all his team-mates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, really evolving, really maturing,’ Arteta said of Nelson.
‘He’s showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game.’
Saka meanwhile was forced off after being on the receiving end of some heavy challenges courtesy of Forest full-back Renan Lodi.
Speaking post-match, Arteta admitted his young star got a ‘bad kick’ but did not intially fear anything more serious.
‘Hopefully not [the World Cup in doubt],’ Arteta told a press conference. ‘It was a bad kick, he was limping but I don’t see it further than that. Both foot and ankle, he got kicked a few times.’
MORE : Arteta hopes for Saka recovery for World Cup as Nelson leads Arsenal to victory
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Arsenal are looking to make January signings.
