Arsenal are likely to be busy in on the transfer front in the coming weeks as Edu and Mikel Arteta look to strengthen their ranks before deadline day.
The Gunners have made one senior signing so far this summer, bringing Italy international Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates from Bologna, and chances are they’re not done yet.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers over the past few months, as the lack of an out-and-out No. 9 cost the Gunners precious points in the Premier League last season.
The likes of Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres are said to the on Arsenal’s radar, amongst other names.
Now, talkSPORT pundit and Arsenal fan Darren Bent has spoken highly of another forward the Gunners are said to be eyeing.
Darren Bent hails Arsenal target Ivan Toney
The player in question is Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is said to be a long-term target for the Gunners.
One recent report claimed that the Bees may look to slash their asking price to less than £50million due to a lack of interest in Toney, down from £80million-plus.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino recently suggested that the England international could even be available for as little as £40million plus add-ons.
Bent, speaking on talkSPORT (5/8/2024, 6:44pm), believes Toney is “unbelievable” and reckons he’ll move in the latter stages of the transfer window.
“Listen, I really like Ivan Toney,” he said.
“I think he is top, top quality, but some players… their reputation almost, when you are not playing, it’s like some players’ reputation grows, I can’t till he comes back, and you start making out in your head that players are better than.
“He is unbelievable. Do I think he will start as Brentford’s number 9? I do. I think that might be one of those deals where as the window is coming towards the end, then he moves.”
Quiet so far but late speculation could surface
It’s interesting that there has been so little concrete speculation on Toney this summer after months of links with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the likelihood is that more activity could follow as the transfer window edges closer to the deadline and after more and more dominoes fall.
Last year, Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports that Toney is “one of the best attacking players in the league”, while Thomas Frank deemed him “the best penalty taker in the world”.
He’s a player who has proven himself at the highest level and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a club like Arsenal attempt a late move.
