Arsenal put Toney deal in danger with transfer decision

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Dec 2023 09:17 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal have rejected an approach for Eddie Nketiah, indicating that they may not pursue a deal for Ivan Toney.

There have been plenty of reports of a supposed striker merry-go-round for January, with the likes of Serhou Guirassy, Toney, Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic all linked with big-money moves to the Premier League's biggest hitters. As it turns out, though, it may not be as merry as initially advertised.

Osimhen has put pen to paper on a new Napoli deal, making a January move all but impossible, while Vlahovic is in talks to extend his contract with Juventus. Ivan Toney, eyed by Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, is also not as certain to leave Brentford as he was merely a few weeks ago.

Currently banned, many expect him to depart the Bees in January as it will likely be his final chance to get a big move to an elite Premier League club. However, there has now been talk of a potential contract extension and his coach, Thomas Frank, is desperate for him to remain at the club.

Now, Arsenal have cast further doubt on Toney's January move.

Gunners reject Nketiah offer

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have rejected an approach from Crystal Palace for Eddie Nketiah. FootballTransfers exclusively reported earlier this month that the Eagles hold an interest in the Arsenal striker and they have now turned their interest into action - only to be rebuffed.

It is asserted that Arsenal have told their Palace counterparts that the 24-year-old is currently not for sale. If true, this casts doubt on Arsenal's ability to pursue an elite number nine in January. FootballTransfers previously revealed that the Gunners need to cash in on Nketiah - or someone else - to be able to fund a deal for someone like Toney, who could command north of €80 million.

Without these funds, it is unlikely that Toney will be heading to north London, as Tottenham won't be able to spend big in January either, especially since they are desperately scrambling to bring in a centre-back. Toney's only option could well be Chelsea, but it seems that they will go all out for Victor Osimhen in the summer of 2024, so signing the Brentford man would make little sense.