£50m striker who Declan Rice would love at Arsenal is now unlikely to move this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

If Arsenal sell Eddie Nketiah this summer it feels increasingly likely that the club will make an addition in attacking areas.

Nketiah is edging closer to leaving Arsenal for Marseille, with both clubs optimistic that a fee can eventually be agreed.

Reiss Nelson could also leave Arsenal, meaning that Mikel Arteta would have much fewer options in attacking positions, even if neither played a significant role last term.

With Emile Smith Rowe moving to Fulham, Arsenal are close to signing Mikel Merino as a replacement.

Smith Rowe, who thrives as a number 10, didn’t necessarily have an obvious role in Arteta’s plans, however Merino could be Arsenal’s perfect Granit Xhaka replacement.

But Merino’s potential arrival won’t at all cover for Nketiah and Nelson’s potential exits, explaining why the Gunners could take to the transfer market once again.

That being said, amid the strikers Arsenal have been linked with over the past year, one name refuses to go away.

Arsenal target Ivan Toney now likely to stay at Brentford after injury news

Arsenal have been linked with Ivan Toney for some time now, who has proven his consistent ability to score in the Premier League.

And in a summer in which Arsenal won’t spend £100m on a player, Toney could be a sensible alternative to Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres.

However, according to a new report by The Times, it seems as if Toney will now remain a Brentford player until at least January.

Thomas Frank recently admitted that Toney could leave, Brentford had even signed a replacement for the striker.

But since Igor Thiago, Brentford’s £30m signing from Club Brugge, picked up a knee injury in pre-season, plans have changed.

Thiago now isn’t expected to return until the end of the year meaning Brentford can’t afford to lose £50m-rated Toney.

The report states that the 28-year-old England striker could remain at Brentford for the final year of his contract, which would then allow him to move to a top club on a free transfer.

Perhaps that could be an appealing option for Arsenal in a year’s time, who seem focused on improving their squad depth first and foremost this summer.

And given Declan Rice’s relationship with Toney, the Gunners may consider that they would have the upper hand against their rivals.