Ivan Toney makes feelings clear on Arsenal transfer after Brentford open door

21 December 2023 , 13:21

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Ivan Toney makes feelings clear on Arsenal transfer after Brentford open door

Ivan Toney has increased speculation about his future by liking a social media comment about joining Arsenal in January.

Toney, 27, is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association's betting rules. That suspension ends next month, with Arsenal interested in signing the England international to boost their chances of winning the Premier League title.

Brentford are expected to demand up to £100million for Toney, who will enter the final 18 months of his contract in January. The striker has now added fuel to those transfer rumours by liking a comment by actor Michael Ward on his Instagram account.

After Toney posted a bunch of pictures of himself, Ward commented: "Arsenal do the right thing?" The player responded by liking the comment, leaving Gunners fans excited.

Toney scored 20 Premier League goals last season, with only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) finding the net more often in England's top flight. Arsenal are thought to be leading the race for Toney's signature, with London rivals Chelsea also plotting a move.

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Arsenal may need to sell players in January to afford Toney thanks to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules. The Gunners spent more than £200m during the summer to sign Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, as well as David Raya on loan.

Arsenal's need for a prolific striker is clear, with Eddie Nketiah scoring just five league goals this season and Gabriel Jesus finding the net only three times. They are aiming to win a first title in two decades and currently sit one point clear at the top of the table.

Ivan Toney is a transfer target for Arsenal (Getty Images)

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The Gunners do not want to pay over the odds for Toney. Brentford's technical director Lee Dykes has confirmed they won't sell him on the cheap, but they will listen to offers. Dykes said: "There will be lots of interest in Ivan in January.

"Naturally, there should be... and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club. But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent. We won’t sell a player unless we are ready to sell.

"We sit in front of every player and say that, if your career goals are above and beyond us, at the right time and if your valuation is met, then we will be open to listening to the numbers. But it’s got to be right for all parties."

Arsenal are also interested in Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, who has scored nine Premier League goals for the Cherries this season. Yet the 26-year-old won't come cheap either, having signed a new long-term contract in September.

Tom Blow