Arsenal find £34m Ivan Toney alternative ahead of transfer battle with Man Utd
Arsenal's FA Cup campaign starts on Sunday - giving Mikel Arteta's side a much-needed break from the Premier League.
The Gunners sat at the top of the table on Christmas Day but finished 2023 in fourth after consecutive defeats to West Ham and Fulham. Their next Premier League game against Crystal Palace at the Emirates isn't until January 20 thanks to the winter break. Although Arsenal aren't in league action for a while, they do have a daunting home FA Cup tie against Liverpool to contend with. Both teams are expected to rest players for the clash.
With Arsenal struggling to pick up results in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta could dip into the transfer market this month. But who is the Spaniard interested in signing? Here are the latest transfer headlines from the Emirates...
Toney alternative found
Arsenal would love to sign a striker this month, but a deal for Ivan Toney seems unlikely. Brentford are determined to keep hold of the England international, 27, after losing Bryan Mbeumo to a serious ankle injury and Yoane Wissa to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Gunners may need to offer a huge transfer fee, perhaps more than £100million, to persuade Brentford to sell Toney. That's simply not going to happen, with the player in the final 18 months of his contract. Arsenal are now considering their options.
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According to reports in Spain, Arsenal are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface. The Nigeria international, 23, has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 games this season. He's valued at £34.7m by Transfermarkt.
Ivan Toney's hopes of joining Arsenal hang in the balance (Getty Images)Who do you think Arsenal should sign in January? Let us know in the comments below!
Leverkusen will demand a lot more for Boniface. Xabi Alonso's side are trying to end Bayern Munich's dominance in Germany and must keep their best players. Leverkusen are four points clear of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga having played a game more.
It will be difficult for Arsenal to agree a bargain deal for Boniface right now, but they need to do something. Gabriel Jesus has scored just three Premier League goals this season, while Eddie Nketiah has found the net only five times. Arsenal's attack in struggling.
Elneny tipped to leave
Several clubs, including Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Besiktas, want to sign Mohamed Elneny this month, according to the Daily Mail. The 31-year-old midfielder is out of contract in June and has played just one minute of Premier League football this season.
Elneny has been selected in Egypt's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which gets under way in the Ivory Coast this month. "Good luck, Mo," wrote Arsenal on X.
Arsenal's Man Utd battle
Arsenal's hopes of signing Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps have been revived after England's No.1 signed with a new agency. The 30-year-old goalkeeper is out of contract in June and many top European clubs - including the Gunners - are interested.
Earps is arguably the best stopper on the planet after saving a penalty in the Women's World Cup final - which Spain won - and winning the Golden Glove award in the Women's Super League. She was recently named as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Negotiations between United and Earps are expected to continue, as the Red Devils want to keep hold of one of the biggest names in the women's game. But this year might be Arsenal's best chance to sign the superstar at the peak of her powers.
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