A number of years ago, Chelsea were on cloud nine and winning the European Cup, whilst Arsenal will still trying to debate if Mikel Arteta was the right man for them.
A lot has changed since then because the London duo are worlds apart, but this summer, they could still compete with one another for transfers.
One player that is expected to move is Brentford’s sought-after striker, Ivan Toney.
Sources have told HITC Football that Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing the ‘world-class’ player, with Owen Hargreaves making it clear that Mikel Arteta needs him.
The former England midfielder also controversially claimed that Ivan Toney probably wouldn’t start for a team like Chelsea, even though he would cost ‘more than £60 million’ and is in such high demand, as he told Premier League Productions (26/02/24 at 7:35 pm).
For months and months now, there has been constant talk of Arsenal needing a number nine, but they keep answering critics on the pitch.
Of course, if they don’t win the Premier League title this season, then that noise will only increase for the summer and the value of Ivan Toney will also go up a level.
The 27-year-old has never played European football before and isn’t even a regular for England, but Owen Hargreaves still feels he will fetch big money.
Ivan Toney’s future
“Can he play European football? Can he play Champions League football? That’s the question,” said Hargreaves.
“I think he surprises you. I don’t think he starts for a Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea. But I think he is a brilliant option to play.
“Arsenal need something different and Ivan Toney is something different. They don’t need another skilled player or ball player. They need somebody with a different profile who puts the ball into the back of the net. This guy is better than people give him credit for. I think he deserves a step up to see. Can he be a Champions League player?
“I think he can. He won’t be a feature, but I think he can do it at a higher level and with better players. He has to cost more than £60 million. He’s a brilliant player.”
Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer transfer window
Many teams were relatively quiet in January, mainly because they were probably fearful of FFP punishment and crossing that line given what has happened to certain clubs.
But you would expect normal service to resume in the summer when the transfer window re-opens, including for Arsenal and Chelsea.
If Arteta guides the team to the title, then bringing in those top elite players will be much easier, the same can’t be said for Chelsea.
They don’t even probably know if Mauricio Pochettino will be in charge, and what’s even worse, it might just be another season without European football, which will hurt the team badly, in regards to finances.
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