Neil Ruddock believes Brentford striker Ivan Toney’s head is ‘all over the place’ after the Arsenal target admitted it is ‘obvious’ that he is keen on a transfer to a top club.
Last Saturday saw Toney make his long-awaited return to the Gtech Community Stadium as Brentford beat Nottingham Forest 3-2. The 27-year-old even captained the Bees and scored after just 19 minutes following an eight-month absence while serving an FA-sanctioned ban.
Toney drew the west London club level with a controversial free-kick after he edged the ball forward from its spot. He also wiped away the vanishing spray from referee Darren England. But VAR has no authority to intervene on restarts, thus his first goal since last April counted.
Arsenal retain an interest in Ivan Toney’s transfer from Brentford
Only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) outscored Toney (20) in the Premier League in 2022/23. The Brentford talisman also started in all 33 of his appearances and recorded four assists, too. His displays further led to the Northampton native’s England debut last March.
While the Mirror has long cited Toney as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s top striker transfer target for January. It also adds that the one-cap ace is keen on a switch to Emirates Stadium. But the Evening Standard cites the Bees’ valuation at £80-100m as they are loath to sell him.
The Standard also cites interest from Chelsea but notes that Brentford are desperate to keep Toney amid a tougher campaign. Thomas Frank’s squad are 14th in the Premier League table after 20 games. But Toney has added fuel to the rumours he could leave the Bees in January.
Neil Ruddock feels Ivan Toney’s head is now ‘all over the place’
Despite Toney vowing to repay the support Brentford showed him throughout the striker’s eight-month ban, he told Sky Sports ahead of his return against Nottingham Forest that it is ‘obvious’ that his aspirations are for a transfer to a squad of higher standing than the Bees.
“You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere,” he said. “But I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club.
“Everybody wants to play for a top club that is fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”
Toney’s mixed messages about a transfer convinces Ruddock that the Arsenal target’s head is ‘all over the place’. He further questions how many voices are in the striker’s ear, trying to convince him to stay at Brentford or push for a transfer to a club where he can win a trophy.
Ruddock told the Express: “The other day Toney said he wanted to repay Brentford’s loyalty, and the next day he says he wants to move to a bigger club.
“It feels like his head is up his own backside. But I just don’t think he knows what he wants. His head is all over the place. You can see that with the kind of quotes he’s coming out with.
“What he is saying doesn’t make any sense… I’d not be surprised if Toney’s got Frank telling him to stay for another year and try and get into Europe. Then in the other ear, he’s got other people telling him to move somewhere bigger… No wonder he’s confused!”
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