Arsenal star Declan Rice has struck up a close friendship with a player who could end up at Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Spurs are yet to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s squad but have extended Timo Werner’s loan deal by a further year.
Postecoglou looks set to bring in a fresh option to lead the line for Tottenham, despite impressive seasons from Heung-min Son and Richarlison.
The duo netted 28 goals between them in the Premier League last time out but Spurs are lacking an out-and-out striker.
Ivan Toney continues to be linked with a move to north London, with both Tottenham and Arsenal said to be keen.
It was recently claimed that Toney has agreed to a move to Spurs, with Postecoglou’s men continuing talks with Brentford over a move and readying another bid.
But it would appear that Declan Rice has become close friends with the Bees star during Euro 2024.
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Rice close friends with Arsenal and Spurs target Ivan Toney
Speaking on Lions’ Den, Rice was asked which England teammate he’d pick to be spend a year on a desert island with.
“It’s an easy answer, the man next to me,” the Arsenal man said. “We’re on the same wavelength, we have the same interests, the same music.
“We like the same hobbies. We just get on really well, so definitely Ivan.”
“I don’t think we would be worried about being stuck, we would just catch jokes,” Toney added.
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Toney’s previous comments on Arsenal amid Tottenham interest
Arsenal’s interest in signing Toney seems to have cooled and that could give Spurs a clear run at landing the 28-year-old.
But his recent comments on the Gunners probably didn’t go down too well with Tottenham supporters.
Speaking on the Diary of a CEO Podcast back in January, he said: “I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life but from young I’ve liked Arsenal.
“I’ve liked watching Arsenal from how they play and kind of how passionate (their) fans are.”
Despite his close friendship with a key Arsenal star and his comments on Spurs’ north London rivals, Toney would be an excellent addition to Postecoglou’s squad.
The Englishman’s form after returning from a nine-month ban may be a cause for concern as he netted just four times in 17 Premier League appearances.
But Toney is exactly the type of profile Tottenham are missing and he could be available for around £55 million this summer, according to reports.