Arsenal can’t risk Ivan Toney asking price at Brentford

Arsenal Should Move for Other Strikers – Not Ivan Toney

The above is based on finance.

If Brentford don’t succeed with their targets this season then Toney will become available for a fee in the region of £30m. That’s the base number that’s been mentioned, and with a sea of bidders hovering around, there is no reason that figure can’t reach closer to £40m. It’s too much.

How much money Arsenal will have to spend this season is mostly guesswork. It will come down to what they can accrue for those they will sell.

There are umpteen players who are destined for north London departures, but with the length of contracts many have remaining as well as the lack of spending power the majority of European clubs boast following the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic, their prices are unknown.

If the time comes where Arsenal do have £30m to spend on a centre-forward, there is such risk in signing Toney. While he’s been in electric form, has the strength and aerial ability that Arsenal would want, such expenditure on a player who has only had one season in the Championship under his belt is a move Arsenal can’t afford. Literally. There are also question marks about his suitability to a side that will regularly come up against low-blocks.

Were the figure, say, half of the one quoted then there is genuine reason to pursue. Toney is strong with his back to goal and adept at bringing others into play, yet the handsome sum it would take to lure him to north London is simply too much of a risk.