Arsenal 'need to sell' several top players to fund Ivan Toney transfer

Arsenal need to sell several players to fund a big-money move for Brentford star Ivan Toney, it has been reported.

Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban from football imposed by the FA by betting breaches.

He has not played in the 2023/24 season as a result, but he will be able to return to football in mid-January - opening the door for a potential January transfer.

According to Sky Sports, Brentford are demanding a fee of £100 million for their star striker, and are keen to keep him for at least the rest of the season as they push for European football under Thomas Frank.

As a result, Arsenal would need to sell to buy, given concerns over Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and the big-spending summer which saw them splash out over £200 million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners did manage to secure a number of major sales over the summer, with Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun leaving for a combined fee of £50 million. Fringe players Pablo Mari and Rob Holding were among the other senior players to depart the Emirates Stadium.

But according to The Athletic, Arsenal will need to raise a significant sum of money in order to fund the signing of the 27-year-old in January.

As per Transfermarkt values, the Gunners may need to sell a number of first team players to raise enough to match Brentford's valuation of the striker.

Fringe centre-back Jakub Kiwior (€25 million) and defensive midfielder Thomas Partey (€35 million) could both be sacrificed, with a number of clubs having expressed interest in the latter.

A wildcard option could be goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (€30 million), given his lack of gametime since being usurped by David Raya as Arsenal's shot-stopper in the Premier League and Champions League.

Emile Smith Rowe, meanwhile, is valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt, and would bring up the quartet of players that Arteta may need to sell if he decides to look for more first team opportunities elsewhere.