Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now given an indication on what Arsenal might have to pay to sign Ivan Toney this summer.
Arsenal were heavily linked with Ivan Toney throughout the recent January transfer window.
However, Brentford were clearly reluctant to part with the striker. The Bees put a £100 million price tag on Toney. Despite the once-capped England man apparently being keen on a switch to the Emirates Stadium, no such move was forthcoming.
In fact, Brentford boss Thomas Frank recently revealed that no formal bids were made for Toney by any club this winter. Though, the Danish coach also admitted that he expects the forward to be sold in the coming summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta may well be keen to make a concerted effort to sign Toney ahead of next season. The Gunners are certainly on the lookout for a new striker who can represent a more prolific option to lead the line than the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Kai Havertz. Toney has proven himself to be capable of scoring regularly at Premier League level and he would bring a new dimension to the Arsenal attacking contingent.
However, if Brentford are still insistent on fetching £100 million in exchange for the 27-year-old’s services, then that may be enough to prevent Arsenal from seeking out a deal.
Fabrizio Romano provides Arsenal with Ivan Toney price update
Fabrizio Romano has now provided an insight into what the financial situation surrounding Toney may look like in the summer. As quoted by Caught Offside, the reporter said, “Thomas Frank has spoken publicly about Ivan Toney being likely to leave at the end of this season. He’ll have just a year left on his contract, so his price tag will likely be lower than the £100m it would have cost to sign him in January.”
“I think this situation makes sense and I don’t think clubs needed Frank to say that, it’s quite obvious and also one of the reasons why no one wanted to pay that amount of money in January. In the summer it will be different, for sure.”
If Romano is right, and Brentford lower their asking price for Toney significantly, then Arsenal may well face plenty of competition for his signature.
Despite Frank’s recent revelation, though, Toney will not currently be at the forefront of Arteta’s thinking. With the January window now closed, the Spanish coach will be fully focused on coaxing the most productive performances he can out of the players already at his disposal.
Arsenal revived their Premier League title push with a 3-1 win over league leaders Liverpool on Sunday. They must now build on that landmark result and maintain their positive momentum with a win against West Ham United this weekend. The Hammers are likely to sit deep and attempt to keep things tight at the back. Therefore, the onus will be on Arsenal’s current attackers to prove that they can be clinical when chances do come their way.
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