Lee Gunner has claimed that he would rather have Ivan Toney over big transfer target Dusan Vlahovic at Arsenal.
In recent times, the north London club have been linked with a move for the Fiorentina forward as speculation intensifies over a possible deal.
However, when asked if he would spend so much money – rumoured to be around £150m including wages and agent fees – on Vlahovic, Gunner claimed he would rather sign a couple of players who have succeeded in the Premier League before.
He first mentioned Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, before adding he would also take Toney ‘in a heartbeat’. Speaking on the latest edition of The Football Terrace’s Straight Facts, Gunner was full of praise for the Brentford striker.
He said: “I’d take Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins in a heartbeat, both of them. Ollie Watkins can play [on the] left side as well. And Ivan Toney is a superstar in the making. That kid is sick, he is sick. He’s got everything, absolutely everything.
“And this is the thing – it’s fashionable to rate this Vlahovic at the minute. How many of these people that are putting comments in the chat, or sitting on their Twitter accounts or Instagram, how many of these people actually watch Fiorentina every week? They don’t.”
TIF Thoughts on Ivan Toney and Arsenal…
It certainly looks as though Arsenal are extremely keen to find themselves a new striker in the near future – with a number of names being listed as possible targets.
Should Arsenal try to sell Eddie Nketiah this winter?
Yes
No
Toney is also a name who has been linked with the club in the past and could be a cheaper option if they don’t want to splash the cash. With four goals and two assists so far in his debut Premier League season, the Brentford man has shown plenty of promise.
Even so, Vlahovic has been far more prolific in Italy, with 16 Serie A goals and three assists to his name in 20 outings. There are agreements to be made for both players, but it remains to be seen as to who Arsenal truly want.
In other news: ‘Would explain why Arteta’s been so keen to bin off Aubameyang’ – Journo excited by development