Arsenal fans are crossing their fingers and hoping their club can somehow overcome FFP and sign a much-needed striker.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Mikel Arteta’s side would need to raise at least £70 million, from player sales, in order to bring in someone like Brentford’s, Ivan Toney.
But who could Arsenal sell to raise that type of money for the soon-to-be returning banned striker?
The names of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, two attacking players who mainly start on the bench now, were put forward.
But Rio Ferdinand thinks that the duo will be sold for no more than ‘£40 million’ combined, as he told Vibe with Five.
It wasn’t so long ago that Reiss Nelson signed a new contract, so you have to question if that was a wise call given that he has only played 100 minutes of Premier League football this term and only played 201 minutes the previous campaign.
Then there is Emile Smith Rowe, who has played 268 minutes of Premier League football during the past two seasons.
There will be some Arsenal fans screaming why the club wasn’t pro-active enough in selling those two previously and signing a striker instead.
Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson
“So, you have £100 million to sign Ivan Toney, who are you going to sell,” asked Ferdinand. “Say you have £70 million. How are you going to raise that?”
Arsenal fan Joel Beya responded: “You have a couple of players. If I was Emile Smith Rowe. I might get enough.” Ferdinand told him “You are getting £20m or £25m.”
Beya then added: “I like Reiss Nelson. But if I was him, then I am thinking, ‘am I getting enough game time?’.” Ferdinand interrupted and said: “£15m maybe.”
Beya disagreed: “£20m,” to which Ferdinand made it clear: “No way £20m. Elanga, how much did he go for? We are talking about his level here. Elanga plays for Sweden as well, by the way. Elanga has done more at Premier League level than Reiss Nelson (agrees with £15m).”
Ivan Toney transfer
What makes matters worse for Arsenal is that Brentford are in a world of trouble in the Premier League and they can’t afford to lose their star striker.
He returns from his ban on January 16. The Bees have lost five games in a row and are hovering above the relegation zone.
Even if Arsenal wanted to sign the striker, they probably can’t afford to because it could cost them their status in England’s top flight.
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