Me or Osimhen…? Ivan Toney revealed what Mikel Arteta told him after Brentford match this weekend
Arsenal are still interested in signing Ivan Toney for an important reason over their striker Gabriel Jesus, but the Gunners will not pay Brentford £80 million for the move.
The north London natives initially explored the possibility of signing Toney in the January transfer window. However, all attempts to come to an agreement with Brentford were not possible as Arsenal tried to avoid any potential breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
However, the funding should allow manager Mikel Arteta to focus on reinforcements in attack at the end of the season. The Mirror reports that Arsenal have drawn up a shortlist which, in addition to Toney, includes RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Ivan Toney is on Arsenal’s transfer list
Arsenal have been keeping an eye on Gyokeres and Sesko this season, with Arteta no doubt keen to secure the striker’s transfer. However, Toney’s name has not been at the top of the Spaniard’s list – although Arsenal like the 27-year-old’s physical presence and clinical finishing.
Toney’s very positive fitness is also a key reason for Arsenal’s continued interest in his transfer given Jesus’ injury problems. Arteta has only given the 26-year-old 1,125 minutes out of a possible 2,430 (46.3%) this Premier League season with 18 appearances in 27 games.
Gunners bosses also admire Toney for his footballing intelligence and how the England striker can link Brentford’s game with a captain. The Bees are preparing for the striker to leave the Gtech Community Stadium this season, as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping an eye on him.
