Ivan Toney has been mentioned as a target for Arsenal all season thus far, but it now appears a move is looking unlikely.
Arsenal‘s top priority position to strengthen is up-front as Gabriel Jesus continues to struggle with fitness. Due to this, Brentford frontman Ivan Toney has long been tipped as a potential arrival.
It was reported last month that a fee of £80m would be required to convince Brentford to part with Toney as they would prefer to keep him once he returns from suspension.
But recently other names have been suggested as more likely options than the big-money England international.
The 27-year-old is believed to have various suitors but the latest report to emerge claims it is almost certain that Toney won’t be joining The Emirates outfit.
Toney to Arsenal very unlikely
According to a report by The Telegraph, Toney is unlikely now to leave Brentford and Arsenal isn’t the favourites should he move.
They reported: “That a January transfer is far from likely. It is also understood that, if Toney is to make a move in the winter window, it will almost certainly not be to Arsenal.”
The reason is that Thomas Frank is keen on seeing Toney return to the Brentford side after Christmas ahead of what could be a huge second half of the season for the Bees.
This news will come as a blow to many given Toney would solve so many of Mikel Arteta‘s worries at the club. But there are various other options that could be targeted instead.
Micah Richards on Toney
Toney to Arsenal is a move which has – despite its unlikeliness – been given a seal of approval by Micah Richards.
Alongside Alan Shearer who admitted Arsenal need a ‘top class centre-forward’, if they want to target the Premier League title, Richards spoke on The Rest is Football podcast.
Richards was asked where he sees Toney being a good fit, to which he said: “The Arsenal. I just believe Arteta can be so fluid in the way they play so yes I think he does fit into that style.”
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