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 Toney vs Osimhen: Dean Jones gives his verdict on who Arsenal should sign

By on February 8, 2024

Ivan Toney Victor Osimhen

Dean Jones tells GiveMeSport why Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is unlikely to join Arsenal, but a deal for Brentford attacker Ivan Toney would not surprise him.

You’re probably wondering what Jones said about Osimhen and Toney. Before we get into it, might we talk about how we got here?

If you’re wondering why the Gunners would be considering whether Toney or Osimhen is a superior acquisition, here’s why:

In the first half of this season, Arteta’s project’s weakest link was clearly up front. Arsenal played well but failed to convert their chances. Regardless of who played striker, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz or Eddie Nketiah did not capitalise on clear-cut chances.

In the weeks and days leading up to the winter transfer window, it became clear that Arsenal needed to buy a clinical striker. Some thought that they were a winter striker signing away from being favourites for the league. Unfortunately, a marquee striker signing wasn’t made during the January transfer window due to the Gunners spending being limited by FFP.

Mikel Arteta must now devise tactical moves that will allow his team to win the title despite the lack of a proven striker. However, there is still hope that Arsenal will recruit a great striker this summer.

The search for a great striker has sparked debate over which No. 9 Arsenal should sign. Every elite striker is linked with Arsenal, and Osimhen and Toney are regarded as the top two targets, which is why Dean Jones has spoken out on who he believes will seal a move to the Emirates.

What Jones said of Osimhen and Toney

Jones suggests that Arsenal are unlikely to spend the required £120m to sign Osimhen and despite conflicting reports, he claims the Gunners are showing an interest in Toney and hints the 27-year-old could end up at the Emirates.

“It’s a lot of money. I’d be flabbergasted if Arsenal exceeded the amount of money they spent on Declan Rice (£105 million), and that’s probably what it’s going to take to sign Osimhen.

“It’s never great to go head-to-head with Chelsea on a signing, and that makes me feel like Arsenal might end up coming away from it.

“There are other players out there that I think could fit the bill for them.

“Even though Ivan Toney though is being played down to me, people say inside the club that Toney’s not on the radar.

“We’ll have to wait and see about that because I have heard otherwise. But certainly, Arsenal are going to be in the market for a player of that level.”

Jones believes Napoli’s hitman is too pricey for Arsenal, and I agree; signing him for more than £100 million might jeopardise Arsenal’s other transfer ambitions.

Yes, Toney will also be expensive, but given that he will enter the final year of his current contract in the summer, the Gunners may be able to negotiate a lower asking price for the Englishman.

I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer a move for Toney because, other than him being affordable (compared to Osimhen), he’s been tried and tested in the Premier League; buying Osimhen may be a risk; he may require time to adjust to the league, and Arsenal cannot afford to give him that time to settle.