Arsenal are already weighing up some moves ahead of the January transfer window with a winger apparently high on their radar.

What's the word?

The Gunners attempted to bring a wide player to north London in the summer, registering an interest in Raphinha.

However, the Brazilian eventually made a move to Barcelona. Now, Edu is hot on the heels of another South American forward.

That's according to Charles Watts who has revealed that the Premier League side are in early talks to sign Orlando City's Facundo Torres.

Taking to Twitter, the Goal reporter said: "Discussions over a potential move for Facundo Torres very much at an early stage. He has made an impression on the scouting team, but it hasn't really gone beyond that yet - Further talks planned as Arsenal continue to look for Saka cover."

He's ready to explode

Torres' potential right now is quite considerable. He has already been compared to another diminutive South American in a certain Lionel Messi and his numbers appear to be getting better year by year.

The Uruguayan has scored 29 career goals, 13 of which came during the 2022 MLS season. It was a captivating campaign for the 22-year-old who also registered ten assists while playing in a multitude of roles.

The Orlando City star featured on the left, on the right and as a second striker behind a centre-forward. It's eye-catching that he can play right across the frontline and Arsenal have already felt the full force of his Messi-like qualities.

Mikel Arteta's men played against his club side in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, a match in which Torres scored. Cutting inside from the left in trademark fashion, the youngster rifled a shot home on his left foot.

It was a wonderful goal and shows exactly why Arsenal are in discussions to bring him to the club.

Most similar to former Gunner, Joel Campbell, per FB Ref, the £6.3m-rated jewel's numbers have been rather extraordinary. Indeed, when compared to players in his position across the next eight best leagues (away from Europe's top five divisions), he ranks in the best 5% for non-penalty goals per 90, the top 10% for passes into the penalty area and the best 18% for through balls.

It paints a vivid picture that Torres is not just clinical, but also incredibly creative. The offensive "monster" - as dubbed by compatriot Luis Suarez - sits inside the top 40 players for key pass ending carries in MLS, proving that once he brings the ball forward, he tends to pick out a teammate with a crucial pass.

All of this surely makes him a shoo-in for a place in Uruguay's World Cup squad. The wide attacker has been capped ten times by his country and is now ready to make himself a household name.

There is no better place to do that than at the World Cup, where the nation of Qatar is ready to witness his exciting talent.

The tournament kicks off in a matter of weeks so Arsenal supporters may well be able to catch a glimpse of his talent before a formal January bid is launched. Based on the aforementioned numbers, it would be a shock if they don't accelerate their interest in the immediate future. He is ready to explode at a higher level.