Arsenal is reportedly preparing to make a bid for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, sparking hopes that a bidding war might ensue with Chelsea for the 28-year-old. Toney, who has yet to make an appearance for Brentford this season amid ongoing speculation about his future, is expected to leave the club this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.
While Tottenham, West Ham, and Manchester United have all shown interest in the England international, it now seems that Chelsea and Arsenal have moved ahead in the race to sign Toney. Additionally, Toney is also a top target for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli this summer.
Reports suggest that Toney has already agreed to personal terms with Al-Ahli, which would see him earn a substantial £330,000 per week. However, Brentford has rejected multiple bids from the Saudi Pro League side for his transfer.
Chelsea is reportedly considering Toney as a backup option to Victor Osimhen, who remains their primary target to compete with Nicolas Jackson for a starting position at Stamford Bridge. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently stated that Chelsea is “in active talks” with Osimhen about his salary, with Al-Ahli waiting in the wings if the negotiations with Chelsea fall through.
If Chelsea fails to secure Osimhen, Toney is seen as a contingency plan, along with Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, a new report from Football Insider indicates that Arsenal is planning a surprise move for Toney. Sources claim that Arsenal has been closely monitoring the situation and is now preparing to submit a bid, particularly after Eddie Nketiah’s £25 million transfer to Crystal Palace, which has left the club in need of a new striker.
The late interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea could trigger a bidding war, potentially benefiting Brentford as they seek a decent fee for a player nearing the end of his contract. Additionally, with the Saudi Arabian transfer window remaining open until September 2, Al-Ahli has an extra three days to finalize a deal if English clubs fail to secure Toney’s signature.
Gary Lineker, a well-known football pundit, has expressed his approval of Arsenal’s potential move for Toney, suggesting that he would be a great fit at the Emirates. Lineker commented, “I like Ivan Toney a lot. I think he’s super talented and offers something completely different from what Arsenal currently has. He’s a real threat and technically a really good footballer, so I think he would fit in well at Arsenal. Once a player is left out like this, it usually means they are on their way out.”