Arsenal want to sign a new striker this summer but it looks like one particular long-term target won’t be arriving at The Emirates.
The Gunners came within a whisker of winning the Premier League this season but once again came up short.
The common theme in pundits analysing them all season was the lack of a definitive number nine.
Arsenal are now expected to and seek that number nine this summer and a number of names are linked.
However, according to Ben Jacobs, one striker who won’t be moving to the Arsenal is Brentford and England forward, Ivan Toney.
Arsenal back away from deal to sign Ivan Toney
Speaking for GiveMeSport, journalist Jacobs have spoken on Arsenal’s striker search and revealed that Toney is no longer being considered.
“Yeah, I think Arsenal are still stuck deciding on the striker front. But it’s clear that that’s the kind of profile that they’re looking for, and they feel is missing,” Jacobs said.
“And along with Benjamin Sesko, they’ve considered Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres, but they’ve ruled out Ivan Toney.
“And even though we hear reports about Arsenal moving for Victor Osimhen, the outlay is so severe that nothing is advancing at this stage on that front.
“It’s a long window, of course, but there’s better value and slightly younger profiles of strikers that Arsenal are prioritising at this time.”
Toney’s Brentford form may have put Arsenal off
While Toney ended up being selected for the Euros, his form towards the back end of the season was nothing to shout home about.
And in a way, it might have put off Arsenal off, along with the fact that he’ll be 29 next and will hold little in the way of resale value.
Arsenal were apparently looking to spend no more than £45m on Toney at this point but given the likes of Benjamin Sesko wont cost much more than that, it’s easy to see why they’ve moved on.
Toney, then, might have to make do with a move elsewhere in the end this summer.