Arsenal must make a ‘big sale’ to sign Ivan Toney in January

Arsenal must make a ‘big sale’ if they are to sign top target Ivan Toney in January, according to reports. The Gunners have made a fantastic start to the season, unbeaten in the league after eight games, they are second in the Premier League table, behind leaders and arch-rivals Tottenham only on goals scored.

Having most recently beaten title favourites Manchester City, there is real belief that Mikel Arteta could really end Arsenal’s 20-year wait for a league title, though of course there is still a long way to go.

Arsenal’s Striking Woes

One area of concern that the club do have is in their strikers, with some unconvinced that Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are good enough to fire them to the title. The pair have only got three goals between them in a combined 14 league appearances so far this campaign, and it is heavily rumoured that Arteta is hoping to bring in a new No.9.

There are not many strikers who fit the profile the Gunners are looking for however, but Toney certainly does, having demonstrated both great physicality and great goal-scoring ability for Brentford. The 27-year-old has scored 68 goals and made 21 assists across 124 games for the Bees, but is currently suspended from playing until January after breaching betting rules.

Toney Coveting a Move to the Emirates

The England international is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United but is said to be coveting a move to the Emirates, though Thomas Frank wants at least £60million for his talisman. And that is where Arsenal run into difficulty, having already spent £202million over the summer and only generating around £59m in sales.

The Mirror reports that if Toney was to be signed for Brentford’s asking price, Arteta would ‘have to make a big sale to balance the books’, something that is a lot easier said than done. There are not many disposable assets in the current squad, and those that could be considered as such, like Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny, are out of contract next summer and therefore have very little value.

Emile Smith Rowe Could Provide Funds

The only notable player that could be sold for a significant fee is Emile Smith Rowe who has struggled for game time over the past year, managing just 135 minutes so far this season. Arsenal value the attacking midfielder at around £50m, and they might have a buyer for them, with Newcastle reportedly readying a January move for the 23-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal can pull off the signing of Toney in January, but it is clear that if they are to do so, they will have to make a ‘big sale’ first.