BBC sports pundit Garth Crooks has tipped Chelsea beat Arsenal to the signing of Brentford striker Ivan Toney during the season this summer transfer window.
Toney recently returned to first division Action for the Bees after an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules. He has made an immediate impact with 3 goals in just 4 league appearances, helping the club gain 6 points in the process.
With his contract expiring in June 2025, Brentford are more likely to sell him this summer. Thieves believes Arsenal should have sacked Toney when he was suspended as the striker would have cost half his current valuation.
He added that he would not be the least bit surprised if Chelsea beat their London rivals to the striker's signature, he said in his BBC sport column: “It would seem that, with only one year left on Toney's contract, Brentford will want to cash in.”
“Arsenal should have bought him at the time he was suspended and he would have cost half what he would cost now. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he ended up at Chelsea. “They desperately need a top striker.”
Proven striker
Toney scored 20 goals in the English top flight last season before being banned for 8 months. The striker doesn't look rusty since his return and has already proven a point with 3 goals in just 4 Premier League games this season.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be desperate to find a top striker this summer. The Gunners currently have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in their ranks. Jesus has had some sublime moments, but he has been inconsistent and injury-prone.
Nketiah has not lived up to his potential. He would be more likely to be sold if Arsenal signed an elite striker. Similarly, Chelsea need more firepower up front as Nicolas Jackson lacks cutting edge in his play in the box.
Thieves He mentions that Chelsea might have the advantage over Arsenal, but we don't think that's the case. With Champions League football, Arsenal should be in the driving seat to land Toney ahead of their London counterparts.
He £80 million The striker is more likely to prefer a move to title-chasing Arsenal than Chelsea, who are currently 10th in the standings, having finished 12th last season. They are still in a transition phase.
