10 December 2023 , 04:00
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Holland legend Ruud Gullit thinks Arsenal should look towards his homeland in January rather than move for Ivan Toney.
The perceived lack of a clinical goalscorer in Mikel Arteta's squad was again laid bare on Saturday night as they were beaten 1-0 at Aston Villa. And when the transfer window opens, the club are widely expected to move for Toney, who is still serving a ban after being found guilty of breaching FA betting rules.
But despite being inactive as a player since May, Toney is expected to command a sizeable fee with Brentford reportedly wanting in excess of £80million. But Gullit, 61, believes a better alternative is currently plying his trade in the Eredivisie.
"I think Santiago Gimenez would be a good fit for Arsenal as Feyenoord play similar football," he told GamblingZone. "He’d be used to that and it’d be easier for him to fit in."
Gimenez, 22, has certainly made a stunning impression in Holland. He scored 23 times for the club last season after moving from Cruz Azul, and already has 20 goals in only 19 games in the current campaign.
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And Gullit thinks that Arsenal would be a better fit for the Mexican international than London rivals Chelsea. The Blues are also seemingly in need of a striker with new signing Nicolas Jackson struggling.
Santiago Gimenez is starring for Feyenoord (ProShots/Icon Sport via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Arsenal sign in January? Comment below.
" Chelsea are searching for identity at the moment, and Gimenez would be arriving into a struggling team. I’d rather go to a team that knows exactly what they have to do. Of course, I hope he’s the guy to give Chelsea what they need. I don’t know what Chelsea are at the moment!"
The forward was pivotal to Feyenoord winning their domestic title last season, and on Thursday scored his 31st Eredivisie goal in a calendar year in a 3–1 win over Volendam. That surpassed previous record holder Luis Suarez, who scored 30 goals in 2009.
After splashing out more than £200million in the summer, the funds available to Arteta next month will be limited. And despite his form, according to reports in Holland, Gimenez would only set the club back around £40million, considerably less than what they would need to pay for Toney.