The game of football is highly competitive, and everyone wants to be the best out there, no matter what it takes. Players often change clubs to join stronger sides, and clubs buy new players to get better. Ivan Toney is without a doubt an exceptional player who has now caught the eye of Premier League club Arsenal.
Club boss Mikel Arteta is fixated on signing him. Though the player will surely help Arsenal, his arrival will come at a price. Arteta may have to let go of four of his players in exchange for Ivan Toney.
Arsenal ready to offload four players to bring in Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney is an amazing striker, and thus his price is not something anyone can afford. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has placed a £100 million tag on his ace player. Though a club like Arsenal can afford him easily, it still might not be so easy for them. The club spent immense money on players like Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz in the last transfer window, which has made it hard for them to get Ivan Toney under financial fair play rules.
Mikel Arteta will have to sell before he buys, and reports claim that he is ready to let go of four of his players to make way for Ivan. It is not yet confirmed which of the four players will be leaving the club, but midfielder Thomas Partey may be the first to go due to his injury. Edward Nkeitah may also be leaving, as he will become a third-choice striker after Ivan Toney’s and Gabriel Jesus. Others, like Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale, might also be saying their goodbyes.
When will Toney be available to play again?
Ivan Toney was last seen on the field in Brentford’s match against Liverpool on May 7, 2023. The player has since been prevented from participating in any of the matches due to his ban. The English forward was banned for breaching a total of 232 FA betting rules. He was also not a part of England’s national team for the 2022 World Cup, which he considers to be the greatest punishment. “The biggest punishment, even though I miss eight months of football, that was the biggest punishment to miss out on a World Cup—everyone’s dream—it is bigger than missing eight months of football,” he said.
Ivan Toney was only allowed to train with his team in September and will be able to play again after January 17, 2024. The 27-year-old is extremely confident about his return and believes he will do great things when he steps back on the field.
We are yet to see which of the players Mikel Arteta will let go of for Ivan Toney and if the new striker will be worth it or not.
