IAN WRIGHT has urged Arsenal to sign Ivan Toney as he believes the striker is the “last piece in the jigsaw” for the Gunners squad.
The Brentford star will not come cheap though as the Bees have slapped an £80million price tag on him.
Toney, 27, is currently serving an eight-month suspension for breaching betting regulations.
The forward returned to training last month but is not able to play competitively until January 17.
However, the Bees have rated their star man at £80million with Toney’s contract not due to expire until summer 2025.
But Arsenal legend Wright feels bringing Toney to North London is the key to helping the club take the final step to winning major titles this season.
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He said on the Stick to Football podcast by Sky Bet: “You know the thing with the way we play and how we spread goals about last season.
“Yes it took us to a certain place but I don’t think the Toney links will go away.
“I believe that Arsenal in what we’re trying to do now – the margins are so small now – you cannot afford to miss those chances and not win those games.
“The Toney links don’t go away because you can see that’s probably the last bit in the jigsaw.
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“It’s obvious for everyone to see that this is the last piece. He will do it if it can be done.”
But Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham may join the race for the Bees main man, according to the Daily Mail.
A great sign for the Gunners is that Toney is keen on a move to the Emirates, meaning they are in prime position to snatch his signature, the report claims.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have led the line for the Gunners this season but have scored just three Premier League goals between them.
And Mikel Arteta is said to be aware of the goal deficiency in the team and claims Toney “ticks a lot of boxes” for the Spaniard despite his hefty price tag.
If the Gunners make the big-money transfer in January this will most definitely affect their summer spending next year.
But Wright’s pal Roy Keane vowed on the podcast that the Gunners need to recruit a striker now to the squad to take the top of the table.
He said: “Arsenal can win the league, but they would need that striker. It’s great when you’re watching a team that can play.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
