Neal Maupay has now shared his honest thoughts on Ivan Toney amid Arsenal transfer links

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Premier League striker Neal Maupay has now shared what he really thinks of Arsenal transfer target Ivan Toney.

Neal Maupay and Ivan Toney know each other well, having shared a dressing room at Brentford last season. 

Toney has been linked with a move to Arsenal for some time. Mikel Arteta is certainly on the lookout for a new striker this summer.

The Gunners have already tried and failed to bring Benjamin Sesko to the Emirates Stadium, and their work on a deal for Viktor Gyokeres has now stalled. Toney could be an option that they turn to at this stage.

There is no doubting that the 28-year-old is a talented player. He has been prolific in the Premier League in the past, and boasts plenty of qualities which would make him ideally suited to this Arsenal team. He is a powerful physical presence, carries an aerial threat, offers intelligent movement, can hold up the ball and bring others into play, and is a lethal finisher.

However, he certainly wouldn’t come cheaply to North London. Brentford are said to want £60 million for Toney.

Any transfer will likely have to wait until after the Euros, though, as the striker is currently in Germany, representing England at the tournament, along with Arsenal trio Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Aaron Ramsdale.

Toney does in fact share a close friendship with Rice, which could help him to settle in at Arsenal, were he to make the switch. 

Unlike the former West Ham United man, though, Toney is not a regular starter for his country.

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Neal Maupay urges Gareth Southgate to give Arsenal target Ivan Toney more game time for England

Toney came off the bench for the Three Lions against Slovakia last time out, and played a key role in helping his nation to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, as he provided the assist for Harry Kane’s winner.

This runout marked Toney’s first appearance at the tournament. Maupay now wants to see him given further opportunities to impress on the international stage.

Speaking to talkSPORT (02/06/2024, 08:40), the Frenchman said: “Ivan is a top striker. He scores goals. That’s what he does. Give him some minutes and I am sure he will do well, and that’s what he did, to be fair. He gave an assist and he was dangerous. He had a chance, headed the ball well. Maybe put him on a bit earlier and he will do something.”