Arsenal are interested in Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window, but Financial Fair Play could make a transfer difficult.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Athletic report that Arsenal are indeed interested in Brentford centre-forward Ivan Toney, as they believe he’d provide a different option to the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

The problem is the financial side of such a deal. The Gunners need to be wary of breaching FFP rules, after spending heavily in the summer window and preparing to spend even more on making David Raya’s loan move permanent.

Brentford are reportedly unlikely to allow a similar agreement to the Raya loan again for Toney, meaning the Gunners would have to source significant funds either through the market or from the owners.

The report concludes that Arsenal may just have to wait until summer and hope Toney hasn’t already moved by then.

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Arsenal's French defender William Saliba (top) fouls Brentford's English striker Ivan Toney during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2023.
Arsenal’s French defender William Saliba (top) fouls Brentford’s English striker Ivan Toney during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2023.

A recent report claimed Toney has personally told Brentford that he wants to leave the club in the winter transfer window, despite manager Thomas Frank suggesting he expects the striker to stay.

“I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay,” Frank claimed. “He is happy at the club. What happens in the future is impossible to guess about.

“He’s a top player, one of our most important players, if not the most important last year. Any player that can score 20-plus goals in the Premier League are very, very important.

“Ivan’s skillset in terms of finishing abilities with his left and right (foot), heading and his composure in those moments and his link-up play and his presence, character, is a very good package.

“It’s not (up to) me to put a price tag on him, it’s down to the club. But I’m happy with him, I hope he plays here forever and I’m the coach.”

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and West Ham United at Brentford Community Stadium on April 10, 2022. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and West Ham United at Brentford Community Stadium on April 10, 2022. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Before that, Sky Sports had reported that Brentford value Ivan Toney at £100m, and they intend to keep him at least until the end of the season.

But despite his manager’s insistence otherwise, Toney is seemingly keen on a move to Arsenal in January, when his suspension from football is up.

Toney is currently suspended from football due to breaching FA rules on gambling, but he’s back in training, and he’ll be able to play again in January.

Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games for Brentford last season, before his ban.

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