Arsenal backed to sanction £80m transfer for new striker amid shock Gabriel Jesus claim
Jay Bothroyd has urged Arsenal to try and sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney to bolster their frontline.
Mikel Arteta's side finished second last season, narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. One of the key players for the Gunners was Gabriel Jesus, who was signed from City in the summer of 2022.
The Brazilian international's elite link-up play, pressing ability and intelligent movement made him tailor-made for Arteta's system. But the 26-year-old isn't clinical in the final third, netting 11 Premier League goals last term despite registering a whopping 16.17xG (expected goals), as per Understat.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for a new centre-forward to compete with Jesus in recent times and former England international Bothroyd has backed the north Londoners to try and recruit Toney from Brentford.
Speaking about the Bees frontman on Sky Sports' Saturday Social, ex-Arsenal youngster Bothroyd said said: "[Toney's] an A for me, he scores goals, he’s prolific, he's strong, he leads the line really well. If you put him in one of the top teams he will score at least 20 Premier League goals per season.
«Great on penalties, penalties he’s unbelievable. If you took him to someone like Arsenal, I would love Arsenal to sign him now.
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»I think he would score more goals than Jesus, than Ollie Watkins, in the Premier League." Toney netted 20 league goals during the 2022/23 campaign, a hugely impressive feat that has seen him valued at £80 million, according to the Times.
However any move is, of course, complicated by the fact that the 27-year-old is currently serving an eight-month ban from all football
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