Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has now opened up about his friendship with one Mikel Arteta transfer target.
Arsenal are on the hunt for a new striker this summer.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of goalscorers. Arsenal were keen to sign Benjamin Sesko, prior to his decision to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig.
Mikel Arteta will now turn his attention to other potential targets who could add firepower to his squad. However, the Spanish coach will approach any such deal with caution, as the any recruit will have to fit both neatly into his team’s tactical setup and the dressing room atmosphere that has been created at the Emirates Stadium.
The manager will do his due diligence before pressing ahead with any such deal, which may well include asking current Arsenal players for their thoughts on potential targets that they already know.
If it came to it, Declan Rice has made it clear that there is one Premier League striker in particular that he gets on especially well with.
Arsenal star Declan Rice shares his honest thoughts about Ivan Toney
Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Ivan Toney for some time.
It is easy to see why the North London club might be so keen on the Brentford forward. He has proven that he can shine at Premier League before, and offers a similar profile to Kai Havertz, who is the current first-choice to lead the line for the Gunners.
Like the German, the 28-year-old England star can operate as a target man, using his physicality and aerial prowess to offer an outlet at the top of the pitch. He is also technically proficient enough to involve himself in the build up play, and can be a clinical finisher.
On top of that, Toney also shares a close friendship with Rice.
In a clip posted on the official England X page, the Arsenal star explained why they get on so well: “It’s because we’re on the same wavelength, isn’t it? Like, as people we’re kind of the same. We like the same stuff, we have the same interests.”
Is Toney the striker Arsenal need this summer?
There are drawbacks to pursuing a deal for the 3-cap international, who is currently on duty with Rice as part of the Three Lions’ squad at Euro 2024.
He has struggled to rediscover his best form since returning from a lengthy ban in the new year, and Brentford have put a hefty price tag on Toney. It could well be the case that there are better options on the market for Arsenal to consider.