‘What I hear’: Sky Sports pundit shares what he’s now heard about Arsenal signing Ivan Toney

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Arsenal’s need for a striker is more evident than ever.

The Gunners have hit a tough patch of form as the January transfer window opens, and many now want the north London club to spring into action in the market.

Of course, there’s been no shortage of links as of late, and one player who has been constantly mentioned in this conversation is Ivan Toney.

The Brentford striker is said to be a top target for Arsenal, but according to Alan Smith, speaking on Sky Sports (31/12/23 1:38PM), this deal may not be easy to do.

Smith, of course, knows a lot of people within Arsenal, and he says that he’s been told that the club actually need to sell players for Financial Fair Play reasons.

Arsenal can’t afford Toney right now

Smith shared what he knows about the striker.

“Ivan Toney is the name everyone is mentioning. What I hear, I heard in the summer that they need to sell players to balance the books for Financial Fair Play. I don’t think they will have the cash to sign someone like Toney, they may have £20m-30m to sign someone with that potential,” Smith said.

Find the cash

Arsenal, understandably, aren’t flush with cash right now after spending over £200m in the summer, but they need to find the money to sign a striker of Toney’s calibre this month somehow.

Arsenal have a number of sellable assets in their squad right now with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Aaron Ramsdale all acting as fringe players right now, and if two or three of those players are sold, the Gunners could have the cash needed to make a big signing like this.

Arsenal’s title challenge is quickly coming undone, but the right signing in January could get them back on track.

Arsenal need to find the money to sign a player like Toney this month.