Arsenal have been linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney, but a new report suggests that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta may not be fully sold on the idea of bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.
On Monday, The Mirror reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Ivan Toney from London and Premier League rivals Brentford in the January transfer window.
Arsenal linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney
The report claimed that Brentford are willing to sell Toney, but they are looking for at least £60 million in transfer fees for the striker.
We were not surprised at the report.
After all, Toney is one of the best English strikers in the Premier League.
The England international is serving a ban at the moment, but he will be available to play in January 2024.
Former Arsenal prospect Jay Bothroyd rates Toney highly.
Bothroyd said about Toney on Sky Sports this month: “He scores goals, he is prolific, he is strong, he leads the line really well.
“If you put him in any of the big teams, he is going to score at least 20 Premier League goals a season. Great on penalties.”
Toney has made 68 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The 27-year-old striker has scored 32 goals and given nine assists in those games.
Mikel Arteta has concerns over Ivan Toney
Football Transfer is now reporting that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has real concerns over signing Toney.
The report has claimed that both Arsenal and Chelsea are showing interest in the 27-year-old striker.
According to the report, Arteta is not fully sold on the idea of having Toney in his squad.
Football Transfers has quoted a source connected to the Gunners as saying that “there are doubts within the club” about Toney not fitting into “into the Arsenal way.
The source added: “Arteta typically favours players with a disciplined and clean-cut image.
“Arteta has had previous disagreements with Toney and is concerned about his current situation.”
“Additionally, Arteta is wary of the risk associated with paying £60 million for a player midway through the season who may not be match-fit,” the source continued.
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal and Arteta decide to proceed with a bid for Toney in January 2024.
Eddie Nketiah is not the finished article yet, and Gabriel Jesus is not very prolific.
Toney knows the Premier League inside out and has scored goals in the division.
Arsenal are aiming to win the Premier League title this season.
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