Arsenal are ‘monitoring’ Ivan Toney’s situation ahead of the January transfer window after the Brentford striker made it clear that he would like to leave the club, though they will face competition from across the Premier League should they enter the race for his signature.
The England striker, who found the net 20 times last season, is returning to training following his ban for breaching the FA’s gambling code, though he is not allowed to play competitive football again until January.
With his contract up in 2025, there have been strong rumours of a departure either in January or in the summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea among those thought to be interested in the Englishman.
The Gunners have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net so far this season, with just eight goals from open play in their opening six Premier League games.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have been guilty of missing gilt-edged chances and a striker has long been on Mikel Arteta’s wishlist, with Toney thought to feature prominently among their targets along with Brighton sensation Evan Ferguson.
Speaking to Sky Sports last week, Brentford boss Frank admitted that a deal could be struck for Toney, but that the England man wouldn’t come cheap.
“We are a selling club if the right price is there and if the time is right”, he explained.
“He is a Brentford player now and in today’s market, everyone knows that goalscorers and attackers are the most expensive. Toney would be very expensive.”
Brentford are understood to want between £60m and £80m for their talismanic figure should he depart in January, and it is thought to be Chelsea that have made the most concrete enquiries over a potential move for the striker.
As per the Independent, however, Arsenal are ‘monitoring the situation’, though they add that ‘all of the major London clubs like Ivan Toney’.
Toney has made his own preference clear though, and could well be willing to snub any other club to force through a move to the Emirates Stadium should they show an interest.
“The next club I go to if I was to move, it would be the right club. I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life but from young, I’ve liked Arsenal, watching Arsenal, how they play & how passionate the fans are”, he told the diary of a CEO podcast.
With a sluggish start to the season, Toney could be just what Arsenal need in January to recharge their attack and push on in the second half of the campaign.
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