Former Arsenal academy graduate Jay Bothroyd insists he would love to see Ivan Toney at his former club ahead of the January window.
Arsenal had a wonderful transfer window, where they conducted their business without much fuss and to the point. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya arrived to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad and reestablish their chances as title challengers.
Fans would have liked the club to sign a new defender around deadline day after Timber picked up a serious injury. The departures of Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney have left them a bit short at the back. But apart from that, the team seems ready for the long season.
The Gunners could dip into the January market to address those shortcomings at the back. But overall, they have a strong enough squad and good depth in all positions. Hence, signing a new striker in the next window would be a massive surprise, especially if they bring in 27-year-old English international Ivan Toney.
Arteta has Gabriel Jesus, the in-form Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz as options if needed, and even managed to sell Folarin Balogun during the summer. Hence, the centre-forward position is not an absolute priority for the club to be concerned about.
Yet, former Arsenal academy graduate Jay Bothroyd tells the club to go for Toney in the next window on Sky Sports’ Saturday Social. He made his points about the 27-year-old England international’s profile and earmarked the striker’s potential in a big team.
Bothroyd said, “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. I would love Arsenal to sign him.”
Toney continues to serve an eight-month ban for breaching the Premier League’s betting rules and will only return in January. Chelsea consider him a priority target, but others are also vying for his signature.
There is no doubt that Toney will shine on a bigger side than Brentford, but the Bees have reportedly placed an £80 million asking price on his head. For their part, Arsenal are not about to drop that kind of money on a new striker, especially the 27-year-old England international, given the positions are well covered in the squad.
Hence, it won’t come as a surprise if the Gunners make an aggressive move to sign a new defender in January or even a new midfielder if needed to add to the depth. As for them entering a transfer battle for Toney, no chance.
