Kai Havertz has been the primary centre forward for Arsenal this season as Mikel Arteta has not counted on Viktor Gyokeres for a regular role. The German has rewarded his manager’s faith with two goals in three Premier League games so far.
Despite the former Bayer Leverkusen star’s form up top, the Gunners continue to explore their options for a new number nine and are now interested in signing Ivan Toney from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, according to TEAMtalk.
Following Gabriel Jesus’ sale to Barcelona and doubts over Gyokeres continuity at the club after the Swede lost his place in the starting eleven, Arsenal’s interest in signing a new striker to improve their depth comes as no surprise.
Having said that, 30-year-old Ivan Toney is an interesting option as he performed brilliantly at Brentford before signing with Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024, for whom he has been in red-hot form this season with eight goals in six league outings.
A very experienced option for Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled with the physicality and intensity of the Premier League, and his movement in the box has not been as dynamic and impactful as it was while he played for Sporting Lisbon.
Therefore, Ivan Toney’s signing would present the Gunners with the chance to bring in an experienced player with a background in English football, who is still playing at a very high level of football and delivering consistently in front of goal.
On Transfermarkt, Toney is valued at £17 million, so he is a very affordable option as well and could consider returning to England to join a sporting project as exciting as Arsenal’s after a couple of seasons in the Saudi Pro League.
It will be interesting to see if Al-Ahli are prepared to sell their chief marksman midway through the season in January, and if they are ready to do so, Toney might need to accept a pay-cut as Arsenal are unlikely to be able to afford paying him his current salary.
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