Ivan Toney's potential loan move to Arsenal has been thwarted
due to current Premier League rules that would block the deal going
through.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a switch for the
England international, who is serving the final month of his ban for breaches
of FA betting regulations.
The Brentford forward has impressed since reaching the
Premier League stage, offering a keen ability off the ball as well as the
goalscoring aspect expected of him. His first season in the top flight saw him
bag 12 goals on the way towards the Bees staying in the division comfortably.
That was only improved on further the following campaign, breaking
the 20-goal mark as his side continued to establish themselves. The ban came as
a huge blow to his progress, but that hasn't stopped potential suitors looking
at a move, with Toney now stepping up his training ahead of a potential return
next month.
A link with a switch to the Emirates makes sense, given
questions over their ability to show a clinical edge in front of goal during
tight matches. Mikel Arteta was coy when asked about a striker back in
September, but did name drop Toney when it came to listing those performing at
the top level.
"We're not thinking at all about that [signing a
striker]," the manager said. "We have really good players up front.
It’s true we have some injuries, but we will continue with the players that
we’ve got that’s for sure."
When asked why traditional number nines have become
rarer, he added: "It's coming back, no? There are a few players when you
look at Harry Kane, Haaland, Ivan Toney, Mitrovic. You have examples of players
who score a lot of goals."
While those links over a deal continue to swirl ahead of
January, there are other concerns over whether Arsenal have the financial
leverage to pull off such a move. As such, reports have suggested that a loan
deal with an option to buy could be in the works to go around those concerns
until the summer.
There is one issue with that, which is due to the Premier
League rules that already surround the loan Arsenal have for David Raya from
Brentford. The Spaniard joined on a loan with an option to buy - which
football.london understands is worth £27million - which will likely be
triggered in the summer.
However, league rules state: "The maximum number of
loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances,
shall more than one be from the same club at any one time." While Arsenal
have loan slots available, the fact they already have Raya from Brentford means
Toney couldn't make the same move.
It would mean one of two things: either Raya's deal would
have to be made permanent in January rather than the summer - though that is
unlikely due to finances - or Toney would have to join permanently in January.
The alternative is that Arsenal miss out, which could leave them light up front
heading into the second half of the season.
Source: Arsenal- Football.London
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