Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his preference for signing a £70 million forward over Brentford’s Ivan Toney, citing the player’s technical ability reminiscent of Karim Benzema. Toney, who has been in sensational form, has been a topic of significant speculation and interest, but Arteta appears to be leaning towards an alternative target.
As Arsenal prepares for the January transfer window and the 2024 season, several transfer targets have come into the spotlight. While lesser-known names like Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp and Andreas Skov Olsen from Club Brugge have been mentioned, Ivan Toney is the player generating the most buzz concerning Arsenal.
Toney, an English striker who previously scored 20 league goals before a gambling ban, is expected to be a hot commodity in the upcoming transfer window. Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham have been linked to him, with pundits, including Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, advocating for his acquisition. Parlour believes that strengthening the striker position is crucial for Arsenal and suggests that Toney would be a valuable addition, although the outcome depends on factors like player availability and financial negotiations.
In addition to Toney, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Pedro Neto has piqued Arteta’s interest as a preferred target. It is believed that Arteta is inclined towards signing Neto over Toney, especially after being informed of a limited budget by the club’s hierarchy. Arsenal appears to have confidence in their current crop of attackers, including Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Eddie Nketiah, to handle the forward positions. Arteta, a long-time admirer of Neto, may see him as a solution to ease the burden on Bukayo Saka, who operates out wide.
Securing Neto’s services won’t come cheap, with Wolves reportedly demanding close to £70 million for the 23-year-old forward. While Arsenal hopes to negotiate a lower fee of £40 million, it remains to be seen if they can reach an agreement. Neto has made a strong start to the season, contributing five assists and a goal in his first eight league games, indicating a return to form after recovering from a serious injury.
Journalist Charles Watts, commenting on Arsenal’s interest in Neto, praised the player’s qualities, describing him as “electric.” Watts noted that Arsenal has previously shown interest in Neto, and despite Wolves’ resistance in the past, the rumors are resurfacing. He highlighted Neto’s sharpness, pace, and talent, suggesting that he would be an ideal fit for Arsenal, especially given his age and affinity for the club.
