Stuart Pearce questions whether “outstanding” Ivan Toney will be value for money for Arsenal
Stuart Pearce has questioned the financial wisdom of Arsenal signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
The 27-year-old marksman is currently serving an eight-month ban after breaching the FA’s betting rules and will be able to feature in a competitive game from 17 January 2024 onwards.
Toney had until that moment played 66 times for Brentford in the Premier League subsequently netting 32 goals.
His present deal with the West London outfit expires in June 2025 but there are reports he could exit the club during next month’s winter transfer window.
If a departure comes to pass expectation is Brentford will receive a hefty compensation package, £80m has been touted with Pearce wondering if that makes sense for the Gunners, who have been heavily linked with the one-time England international.
Friday night vibes 😎😎 https://t.co/NzH5SRav9l
— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) October 14, 2022
“The big thing is, the age of Toney might come into consideration,” he told Express Sport, in association with Prime Video. “People want value for money. He is certainly, before he was laid up, he was firing particularly well and did brilliantly for Brentford.
“I think he’s an outstanding player, but whether what it would cost to get him out of Brentford is value for money, I don’t know. Brentford will want top dollar for him, having sat with the player for the best part of nine months without him kicking a ball.”
