Torres has also found a place on the Uruguayan national team under the last three coaches and has been a second half option as of late for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. The speedy winger had interest from Arsenal last season, but things did not continue to progress.

Now according to Fabrizio Romano, the “Uruguayan talent in the list among the players appreciated by scouting, now waiting to clarify internal positions to decide next steps.”

Stats on Facundo Torres

Facundo Torres has been with Orlando City since 2022 and has played 60 games with 21 goals and 14 assists, with The Lions, Torres was one of the key figures of their US Open Cup in 2022.

Before that he had played with Peñarol in Uruguay where he won a Uruguayan championship and played 51 games and scored 10 goals for the legendary club.

On the Uruguayan national team, Torres was a youth national team player before earning 14 caps and scoring his only international goal against Cuba for the senior side. Torres was a part of Uruguay’s ill-fated 2022 World Cup although he did not play a single minute.

The Peñarol forward has played 51 games for the club and has 10 goals, winning one league title. His 2021 started with a bang but as the season progressed Torres was on tired legs after a heavy 2021 that saw him inherit the number 10 jersey for Peñarol and play 10 games for Uruguay.

Orlando City had offered $6 million for Torres but Peñarol president Ignacio Ruglio rejected the offer in favor of a higher fee. Now Ovacion and El Pais in Uruguay have the fee at $10 million plus clauses.

Facundo Torres on Orlando City radar

Facundo Torres had offers from Villarreal in Spain but has reportedly set his sights on a move to MLS. At $10 million for 70% of his rights, Orlando would win the signature of one of the best players in Uruguayan soccer.

It has been reported that the player’s family stressed to Ruglio to get the deal done as the offer will be okayed in the coming days according to reports. Facundo Torres will most likely take up a DP spot on Orlando’s roster and the players intentions is to make the jump to Europe.

Brazil enters the competition as the clear favorite, the Brazilians have been coasting through World Cup Qualifying and look extremely organized under Tite. Argentina will be looking to end their over 20-year drought without a cup, in what will most likely be Lionel Messi’s final Copa America. Paraguay could be a dark horse in the competition as they have a very talented side, and Uruguay, while being up and down in qualifying, has an extremely talented side to keep an eye on.

One thing is for sure, there will be talents on display on each of the ten national teams, here is a list of 5 players that if selected could have a breakout Copa Americain Brazil.

Facundo Torres

Talented 21-year-old Facundo Torres has recently broken into the Uruguayan national team, but he has been in the youth system since the U-15’s. It has been quite a year for Torres, splashing onto the scene at Peñarol in 2020 he is the Uruguayan league’s top player. Peñarol have valued the skillful forward at $20 million.

Vinícius Júnior

Vinícius Júnior is only 20 and he has already played 80 games at Real Madrid, having gone pro in 2018. The winger is extremely talented, hard worker, and tricky when taking on defenders. With only 1 cap for Brazil, Vinícius Júnior could be key in helping Brazil repeat as champions.

Emiliano Martínez

Argentina has been looking for a solid goalkeeper for what seems to be decades now, but the emergence of Emiliano Martínez at Aston Villa could be the answer to Argentina’s prayers. Martinez is very confident in goal and was Villa’s player of the season. This could be a perfect tournament to solidify his place as Argentina’s number one.

Miguel Almirón

Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón has a lot of talent, quick to take on defenders, a powerful outside shot, and great dribbling skills. MLS fans know what Miggy can do, in England he has more than held his own at Newcastle. Miguel Almirón is 27 years old, 2 goals in 30 caps is not what you want from arguably the national team’s most talented player. Miguel Almirón needs a big tournament to finally become a leader on the Paraguayan national team.

Gonzalo Plata

Ecuadorian midfielder Gonzalo Plata is a 20-year-old winger on Portuguese champions Sporting CP, he has 4 goals in 10 caps for Ecuador. Quick and talented Plata could be the next big thing for Ecuador and this Copa America could be his coming out party.