Arsenal have already decided on Toney transfer and response to Brentford demands

20 December 2023 , 12:13

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Arsenal have already decided on Toney transfer and response to Brentford demands

Arsenal have already indicated that they are unwilling to pay over the odds for Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.

The Gunners are expected to be active once the window reopens in the New Year and Mikel Arteta is keen on adding more firepower to a squad that is currently top of the Premier League head of the congested festive schedule.

Mirror Football previously revealed that Toney, 27, is Arsenal's top target heading into the winter window despite an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules. And although it's expected Brentford 's star striker will attract bids in January, they have outlined they will not be selling Toney for anything less than a significant sum.

Speaking ahead of Toney's return to action later this month, Bees technical director Lee Dykes said: "Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be. He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season - one of them [ Harry Kane ] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division.

"He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion. So there should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club. But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.

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"We won’t sell a player unless we are ready to sell. We sit in front of every player and say that, if your career goals are above and beyond us, at the right time and if your valuation is met, then we will be open to listening to the numbers. But it’s got to be right for all parties."

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Arsenal will not pay over the odds for Brentford talisman Ivan Toney in January (Offside via Getty Images)

A report from The Star over the weekend spelled out that Arsenal have no intention of overpaying for Toney in January despite their admiration for the striker, who has just 18 months left to run his current deal.

The same report goes on to outline that Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has emerged as an alternative target for the Gunners if Brentford price Toney out of a move.

Solanke, formerly of Chelsea and Liverpool, has flourished under new Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola, netting nine league goals in just 17 matches. It is understood Bournemouth value the 26-year-old in the region of £50million.

Dan Marsh