Ferdinand warns Toney his ego could RUIN Arsenal transfer

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 13 Feb 2024 18:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Rio Ferdinand believes that Ivan Toney must be “respectful” if he joins Arsenal amid constant rumours of a Brentford exit.

The England striker recently returned from a nine month footballing ban after pleading guilty to over 200 betting breaches, and has been tipped for a summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

Thomas Frank even admitted last week that it’s highly likely that Toney will be sold when the 2023-24 season ends.

Toney was asked about his manager’s comments by BBC Sport following Brentford’s 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday and he jokingly replied: “I see that as he doesn’t want me!

“Nah, the manager has said what he’s said but listen, I can’t make clubs come and get me. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s score goals and like I said, what will be, will be.”

Ivan Toney to Arsenal?

Toney has openly admitted that he wants to join a big club in 2024 and Rio Ferdinand believes he must be “respectful” if he leaves Brentford for Arsenal.

The former Manchester United defender was asked about Toney’s statement on his Vibe with Five podcast and replied: “He said it in jest!

“I don’t think he would move like that [with a big ego]. I would be surprised. Remember, he has never played for a big club.

“He’s going to go there and he will have to be respectful and know where he is in the pecking order.

“There are some big players in there. Do you think he is going to come with that chat about Mikel Arteta when you have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus?

Joel Beya, Ferdinand’s co-host, continued the conversation by stating that Toney has "next-level confidence" and “he thinks no-one can chat to him.”

In response, Ferdinand added: “Then he won’t last long then. I don’t think that is him, but if he goes into the dressing room, a strong dressing room like Arsenal, and thinks, ‘No one can chat to me’ - that’s where the dressing room will be tested. The manager wouldn’t have to say anything. He would be opened up.”

FootballTransfers understand that Brentford are contemplating a summer move for Lille star Jonathan David, who Frank believes can replace Toney.

According to our information, David has always been greatly admired by the Brentford manager.

We have been told he was very impressed by the striker in the summer when the Bees took on Lille at the Gtech Community Stadium in a friendly a week before the start of the Premier League season.