Arsenal are looking for a new striker to lead the line, despite having a superb season in front of goal
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal might be about to make the steal of the summer, with new forward joining for £30-40 million.
The Gunners have been the top scorers in the Premier League this season, despite criticisms that they lack a killer No.9. Kai Havertz has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks, with Gabriel Jesus returning from injury of late – but a new striker is still expected this summer.
With plenty of options being touted for over £100m, Arsenal could bring a cut-price star to the Emirates Stadium who's made headlines for good reasons and bad over the past 12 months.
Arsenal's Kai Havertz has been a hit up front lately (Image credit: Getty Images)
Rumours over the England international swapping west London for north had gone quiet in recent months, with his attitude questioned. Toney has been outspoken in his desire to leave the Gtech Community Stadium, with a year left on his contract, and has been accused of “disrespecting” the Bees on a number of occasions since returning from a lengthy ban related to gambling offences.
Toney has on a couple of occasions been filmed out in public showing apparent impertinence to his employers, while he infamously upset Arsenal after Brentford's first game in the Premier League, a 2-0 home win over Mikel Arteta's side, when he tweeted, “Nice kick about with the boys.”
Ivan Toney of Brentford is a long-term Arsenal target (Image credit: Getty Images)
The 28-year-old revealed on the Diary of a CEO podcast that he has designs on becoming an Arsenal player one day, sparking rumours of a move, which has so far stalled due to Brentford demanding a record sale for their No.17.
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In FourFourTwo's view, it's unlikely that Brentford will accept such a significantly reduced fee – even despite Toney obviously wanting to leave and the weak negotiating position of his contract winding up in 2025. With the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham all said to be interested in the star, a bidding war for Toney is likely this summer.
Even if Brentford can't get the money that they want for Toney, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they keep him until the expiration of his contract.
Can Thomas Frank even afford to lose Ivan Toney? (Image credit: Getty Images)
Thomas Frank's side suffered hugely without the talismanic striker leading the line during his ban, and the ability to replicate Toney's influence or keep him next season could be the difference between keeping Brentford in the Premier League or not. The London outfit have a policy of selling their players at the peak of their value but may decide that £30-40m isn't enough to consider them selling such an important star.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
