Arsenal in talks with MLS star over proposed move

Arsenal cruised to a thumping 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday to move back to first place in the Premier League table. 

The Gunners had fallen behind Manchester City on Saturday after The Citizens’ 1-0 win over Leicester City, but Mikel Arteta’s side reacted in style by thrashing Forest at The Emirates.

It wasn’t all good news for Arteta, though, as Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury during the first half.

The Englishman has been one of Arsenal’s standout players so far this term and Arteta will be hoping that the winger’s injury isn’t too serious.

Despite Arteta claiming afterwards that the injury isn’t expected to keep Saka out of action for too long, it appears that Arsenal are already eyeing a move for a forward that could compete with Saka for the starting spot on the right of their attack.

According to The Evening Standard, Arsenal may move for Orlando City forward Facundo Torres in January.

The Uruguayan is a versatile forward that can operate anywhere across a front three, and Arsenal therefore feel that he could add competition for places to their squad, competing with the likes of Saka for a starting spot.

Saka has been in fine form this season

Torres, 22, scored 13 goals and provided ten assists in 40 matches during the recently-finished season in the US, and Arsenal are believed to already be in talks over a potential deal for the player.

He joined Orlando from Uruguayan side Penarol in January of this year and has since impressed, with his performances helping his side to reach the play-offs.

Torres penned a four-year deal that includes the option for a further 12 months when he joined Orlando in January, for a fee of around £7.75 million.

The report also claims that other potential targets that Arsenal have scouted over the past 12 months include Wolves’ Pedro Neto and Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk.

This wouldn’t be the first time that Arsenal have signed a player from the MLS, as they landed goalkeeper Matt Turner over the summer from New England Revolution, for a fee of just under £6 million.