The four players Arsenal could sell to fund Toney January transfer

Suraj Radia

9 Nov 2023 16:37 GMT
5 min read

Ivan Toney with Arsenal badge — © ProShots

Arsenal continue to be admirers of Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window but Mikel Arteta may have to sell up to four players in order to finance a move for the Brentford striker.

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Toney is still suspended until January for violating betting rules but the 27-year-old has long-been seeking a move to a bigger club and admitted recently that he enjoys watching Arsenal play.

Brentford are open to selling Toney after adapting to life without him, with the England international unlikely to extend his contract, which is set to expire in 2025.

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However, Brentford have reportedly been holding out for a fee in the region of £80 million for their talisman, although they are not expecting to receive much interest at that price.

Arsenal and Chelsea remain the most keen on Toney, while Manchester United have also held a long-term interest, but all three sides have concerns over financial fair play, meaning a big-money move in January could be unlikely.

The Athletic state that, while Arsenal would like to sign Toney, they would need to ‘sell big’ in January first and FootballTransfers takes a look at which four players could be moved on to raise funds towards a striker.

Aaron Ramsdale

The most obvious choice for a sale is Aaron Ramsdale after he lost his place in the first team to David Raya, who joined from Brentford in the summer after Arsenal negotiated a loan deal that will likely become permanent next year due to their FFP restraints.

Arteta had initially insisted he would look to rotate between his two goalkeepers, even suggesting he would consider substituting them mid-game, but Ramsdale has featured just once since September – putting in a shaky performance in the 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat against West Ham earlier this month.

While Raya has also not covered himself in immense glory during his run in the team, the Spaniard appears to be Arteta’s first choice goalkeeper, meaning Ramsdale could prove to be a luxury that Arsenal cannot afford to keep around.

Chelsea have been linked with Ramsdale but Arsenal’s asking price is expected to be in the region of £40m, meaning a mid-season move could prove difficult unless circumstances change for both teams.

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Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey has reportedly told Arteta that he wants to leave in January, amid speculation linking him to the likes of Juventus, having fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates this season.

Partey has struggled with injuries during his time with the Gunners and the signing of Declan Rice in the summer has limited him to just three Premier League starts this campaign.

With the Ghanian on the wrong side of 30 and entering the final 18 months of his contract, Arsenal will likely look to cash in on Partey despite Arteta valuing him as a squad player, although a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia is perhaps the only way for the Gunners to command a significant fee for the midfielder.

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Emile Smith Rowe

Another player who has found first team football hard to come by this season has been Emile Smith Rowe, who has only made one league start since returning from injury at the start of the campaign.

Smith Rowe is highly-rated by Arsenal and well-liked by supporters, having come through the club’s academy, but the signing of Kai Havertz perhaps showed that he may never become a first team regular under Arteta.

However, Arsenal do not wish to sell Smith Rowe, having turned down a bid from Chelsea in excess of £40m for him in the summer, while Newcastle have also been linked, but the player’s desire for first-team football combined with his club’s need for funds could force the Gunners’ hand for the right price.

Mohamed Elneny

Perhaps a forgotten man at the Emirates, Mohamed Elneny’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and injuries have limited him to just one minute of action in the league this season.

Elneny has insisted he wants to finish his career at Arsenal but there could be a case of looking to cash in on him before his deal expires, with the 31-year-old’s fitness meaning he is unlikely to be offered another new contract.

Although any fee Arsenal would get for him would be nominal, getting his wages off the books and a small fee could go a long way in any pursuit of Toney in January.