Arsenal are ready to keep pushing their efforts to sign Ivan Toney next month, as Brentford hopes to keep the striker.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal is willing to make an effort to sign Ivan Toney next month despite resistance from Brentford. The Gunners are intent on landing the 27-year-old attacker and are keen to find a solution on how they can sign him amid FFP concerns.
Is Ivan Toney Arsenal’s top target?
The Gunners are in the market for at least three key additions if they have favourable conditions to do deals. FFP has slowly crept into the plans of many top clubs, which could prevent some of those from going all out in the January window to strengthen their squads.
The Gunners are looking for a new defender, with several options coming to the fore. Meanwhile, they are also finding out if there’s a possibility of bringing in a striker to solve some of their goalscoring issues. The Gunners had more than 30 shots against West Ham on Thursday without finding the net, as Mikel Arteta remains intent on finding the right solution.
Ivan Toney had been a target since the season began, and the Gunners appear undeterred about his gambling ban. The 27-year-old attacker reportedly prefers to join Arsenal over the other suitors, which could give Arteta’s side the edge.
Bringing in a forward capable of scoring 20-plus goals in a Premier League season is something Arsenal are keen on adding. They need to have that profile within their squad, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, albeit being good players, not producing the required goalscoring numbers. Hence, a move for Toney would make sense, and the Brentford star may have emerged as Arsenal’s top target for next month.
Can Arsenal sign Toney amid FFP concerns?
Arsenal had slight brushes with FFP at the end of the summer window when they had to resort to signing David Raya on loan with a buy option. The Gunners might approach Brentford once again for a similar favour and hope the Bees will negotiate with them for Toney.
While Thomas Frank hopes to keep the striker, Toney might ask for the transfer, which could put Brentford in a position where they might have to consider what Arsenal offers.
Some reports suggested Brentford were willing to work out a deal with Arsenal, although things could get moving if the two clubs agree on a final fee. The Bees are reportedly demanding in excess of £70 million, something the Gunners may not consider for the time being.
Hence, there are chances for some talks between the clubs to materialise, with Arsenal likely to keep pushing for a move. Toney certainly would want a new challenge at this stage of his career, and the Gunners desperately need a striker of his profile.
