EXCLUSIVE: Ivan Toney wants Arsenal switch in January despite Brentford's £100m valuation

Steve Kay

• Updated: 2 Jan 2024 23:07 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Ivan Toney is hopeful of a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window but Mikel Arteta’s side have no intention of paying the £100milllion asking price that Brentford have set, FootballTransfers can reveal.

We understand that the Gunners will outright refuse to pay that amount now or in the summer. If a deal were to happen, there is more confidence that a move could be made this month, only below the Bees’ valuation.

From Toney’s point of view, sources claim that he wants the move to the Emirates Stadium above all others, and would also prefer to go in the winter window. To that end, Thomas Frank and his paymasters have a big decision to make - there is the idea that if Brentford hold off until the summer window, they could run the risk of losing the player for a lot less.

Who does Mikel Arteta want in the January transfer window?

It’s our understanding that Arteta wants to bring in Premier League proven players in January, experienced heads that can hit the ground running rather than making signings from another league and then having to wait as the player settles in.

After a couple of poor results of late, Arsenal can ill afford to drop even further behind in the title race, something that could happen were they to invest in cheaper transfer alternatives this month.

This time last year Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jorginho from Chelsea, and it could be said that neither was instrumental in the club’s title tilt over the following few months - hence why there is a strong feeling Arteta can’t make the same mistakes again, even if Financial Fair Play constraints are a factor.