Ivan Toney 'transfer agreed' as Mikel Arteta receives update on Arsenal target
Ivan Toney had been linked with a move to Arsenal on several occasions and it appears the Brentford and England striker's future is now set to be confirmed
Arsenal's link with Ivan Toney appears to be severed as the Brentford forward looks set to move to Saudi Arabia.
Throughout last season and this summer, the England international was heavily speculated to be a target for Mikel Arteta. With the Gunners still persisting with using Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the so-called 'false nine' position, many had tipped the Gunners to make a move for Toney.
The forward has less than a year left on his contract at the G-Tech Community Stadium, so this summer was Thomas Frank's side's last chance to sell him for big money, unless they convinced him to sign a new deal. However, the 28-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, now looks set to make a life-changing move to the Middle East.
It is also the latest sign that Arteta is content with his options at centre-forward.
According to GiveMeSport, Toney has agreed personal terms with Al-Ahli. Vice-chairman of the Saudi Pro League Saad Al-Lazeez and the division's sporting director Michael Emenalo are believed to be in London to flesh out the final details of a deal.
For the second Premier League weekend in a row, Toney was left out of Brentford's squad. He was absent for their opening day victory over Crystal Palace and their 2-0 away loss to Liverpool.
When asked about Toney's situation, Frank said: "The status is the same as last week. Things are going on with transfer speculation so the decision is the same.
"He is training well, there is no problem. I’d rather focus on the game and the players that are playing instead of talking about him."
Arsenal have so far made David Raya's loan signing from last season permanent and brought in Italian international Riccardo Calafiori. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Mikel Merino is also believed to be on his way to the Emirates Stadium having reportedly completed a medical.
While Arteta has been pleased with their business so far, the Spaniard did admit his side are short of options up front. Jesus, who looked sharp in pre-season, has recently picked up an injury, while Eddie Nketiah also looks set to depart this summer.
After the Gunners' 2-0 away victory over Aston Villa, Arteta said: “We are really happy with the squad we have. It is true we have an injury with Gabriel Jesus as well and we missed him.
"So we are a little bit short. If we can do something we will do it but at the moment we love the ones we have, they are really, really good.”
When asked if he is confident about his squad as a whole, he added: "If everybody is fit, yes. But that is why we need good availability from everybody. We don’t have 23 outfield players and normally you have to be equipped like that. We have to trust in our academy players and make sure we look after the ones we have to be robust.”
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