Fresh ‘insight’ from Ivan Toney’s agent offers new hope in Arsenal’s striker search

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are yet to add an attacker to their squad with 10 days remaining in the transfer window, despite being linked with countless forwards over the last year.

One option that has been constantly mooted is Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with the England international seen by many as the game-changing forward Arsenal need to win the title.

However, reports indicated that Mikel Arteta was not a fan of Toney’s attitude, and he now appears ready to move to Saudi Arabia as no offer from Arsenal came.

The 28-year-old scored 20 goals in his first season in the Premier League, and had some impressive cameo moments for England during Euro 2024. Whilst a move to Arsenal appeared off the cards, his agent still believes that he would be perfect for Arteta.

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

Ivan Toney’s agent wanted him to move to Arsenal

Speaking to talkSPORT, former Premier League manager Alan Pardew revealed that Toney’s agent wanted the striker to join Arsenal.

“Let me tell you, I know Ivan Toney’s agent personally and I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal,” Pardew stated.

“There you go, there’s a bit of insight. I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy.”

Why Arsenal did not push for Ivan Toney deal

Despite constant links, and Toney even revealing his admiration for Arsenal, a bid was never made for Toney, and looks unlikely now.

Although some are keen on seeing a striker arrive, and may still hope for Arsenal to move for Toney, it is clear that the striker is not what Arteta wants.

Toney is older than most of Arteta’s typical targets, and with Kai Havertz leading the line superbly, Toney would have to settle for a backup role.

Arsenal arguably need a winger more than a centre-forward, and Toney would only have served as a short-term rotational option, rather than the main man in the team.

It seems unlikely that Toney would accept this, given the attitude he has displayed during his time at Brentford, which perhaps served as a red flag for Arteta over any move, and he may now depart the Premier League.