Hull City have reportedly secured a three-year deal for 22-year-old Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral for an undisclosed amount.
Hull City have made an official statement to announce the signing of Jon Toral from Arsenal on a three-year contract. Given the sticky midfield situation at Arsenal, it does seem a bit odd that Arsene Wenger would let a promising talent like Toral leave the Emirates, even after sending him out on several loan spells.
Toral started his career at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before joining Arsenal back in 2011. One of the most highly-rated young midfielders in Europe at the time of his signing, his career at the Emirates never really took off. He has served loan spells with Brentford, Granada, Rangers and Birmingham over the course of his time with the Gunners.
The midfielder’s loan with Birmingham City proved to be immensely successful. His loyalty always remained with Arsenal though. Even when he was adjudged Player of the Year at the club, he still made it very clear that his goal was to secure a spot for himself in the Arsenal first team.
It was expected that he would get a start after that loan spell, and yet he was immediately loaned out again – this time to Granada. However, that was a complete waste of half a season. During the second half of the season, Arsenal loaned him out to Rangers despite facing an acute shortage of midfield options.
A gruesome knee injury early into his career at Arsenal proved to be detrimental to his hopes and, it is perhaps in his best interests to seek greener pastures with Hull. Since Toral has already experienced playing in the Championship before, he will be able to utilize that experience now and help the Tigers maintain top form.
In fact, he could make a start today, as Hull City prepare to host Bolton. His new club will surely appreciate the kind of pace and trickery Toral can provide – even in high-pressure situations.
Meanwhile, Wenger continues to harbour a shortage of midfield options. Retaining Toral could have been a potentially wiser decision instead of spending money to lure the likes of Thomas Lemar to the club. With that being said, continuing with Arsenal could have been dicey, thus making the move to Hull ideal for Toral.
