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Coach issues warning to Arsenal about transfer target Toney

By Ritayan Chatterjee on December 26, 2023

Former defender turned manager Stuart Pearce has issued a warning to Arsenal regarding their transfer target and Brentford star Ivan Toney.

Although the Gunners have enjoyed a stellar campaign so far this season, it has widely been suggested that Mikel Arteta’s side lack qualities in their centre-forward department and they should sign a prolific goal-scorer to challenge on all fronts.

It seems Arsenal have acknowledged the issue so they have been exploring the market to sign a new striker. Several names have emerged as potential targets for the North London club with Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko and Evan Ferguson being among them, but Toney is reportedly their primary option.

Brentford are reportedly ready to let their star man leave the club in January if they receive an offer of around £80m from his potential suitors such as Arsenal.

Now, speaking on The Express, Pearce has said that Toney is an outstanding player and he showcased his qualities before getting suspended for eight months for breaching the betting rules.

Coach issues warning to Arsenal

However, the former defender says that Brentford are set to demand a big fee to let their star man leave and there is a question mark on whether it would be the right decision for Arsenal to spend that much money for a player – who is set turned 28 next year and hasn’t played football over the last few months.

Pearce said:

“The big thing is, the age of Toney might come into consideration. People want value for money. He is certainly, before he was laid up, he was firing particularly well and did brilliantly for Brentford.

“I think he’s an outstanding player, but whether what it would cost to get him out of Brentford is value for money, I don’t know. Brentford will want top dollar for him, having sat with the player for the best part of nine months without him kicking a ball.”

Toney was one of the best strikers in the Premier League before getting suspended for breaching the betting rules. So, if he can regain his form after a long lay-off then he would be a shrewd signing for Arsenal should they purchase him.

Toney’s suspension will be over in January and it is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal eventually opt to make a concrete approach to sign him in the upcoming transfer window.