Will Arsenal sign a striker during the January transfer window? That is the burning question on the lips of the fans.
If it was up to them, then a number nine would certainly enter the building and many of them wouldn’t mind Brentford hitman, Ivan Toney.
The 27-year-old is set to return from his long-term ban on January 16, but could he be repping Arsenal by the end of the month? Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke has been tipped as an alternative.
Former Liverpool forward Steve McManaman thinks it’s a ‘huge gamble’ at this stage of the season to sign Ivan Toney, especially given what price Brentford would put on his head, as he told Premier League Productions.
Not only is Ivan Toney Brentford’s most important player, but they need him now more than ever before because they are on a five-game losing streak and hovering above the Premier League’s relegation zone.
From their perspective, why on earth would you consider selling Ivan Toney this month? But, at the end of the day, money talks and serious dough would be needed for a player dubbed ‘the real deal’.
But from Arsenal’s perspective, Steve McManman isn’t sure that a deal should take place, especially at this stage of the season.
Ivan Toney transfer to Arsenal
“He could be the answer, but we don’t know,” said McManaman.
“(If he moves to Arsenal), he is playing with better players and a different style. Playing a different style where Arsenal like to move the ball very quickly. You have to be very good with your feet. Your movement has to be exceptional because you are dominating possession against the majority of the opposition.
“But do you want to take that chance? We know Brentford and Arsenal have connections with the owners. Are you going to risk? I have no idea what he is going to cost. But he is going to cost a lot of money to prize him from Brentford, isn’t he?!
“Whether you are going to take that chance in the January transfer window and added with the trouble Ivan Toney has had. It’s a huge gamble, isn’t it, to spend that type of money at this stage of the season?!”
Is Ivan Toney the answer?
First of all, Arsenal need to find the money and their way around FFP to sign someone like Toney.
If they do that, then they need to ask themselves Is Toney the answer to their problems? What if Arsenal don’t win the title if they sign him?
That would then make issues even worse for the club because they would have spent even more money, only to go sideways.
From those teams in the Premier League title race this season, and you could argue there are five teams in the race, the pressure is probably more on Arsenal than anybody else.
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