Mikel Arteta ‘ready to sell FOUR Arsenal stars in January’ to fund Ivan Toney transfer from Brentford
ARSENAL are reportedly prepared to sell four players in order to fund a January transfer move for Ivan Toney.
The Brentford striker will return to action this winter after completing his ban for breaching FA betting rules.
Toney is raring to go after netting 20 Premier League goals last season.
And Arsenal are thought to be leading the race for his signature ahead of rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, The Athletic claims Mikel Arteta is currently hamstrung by Financial Fair Play rules.
The Gunners spent £200million over the summer on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
And the expectation is that David Raya will make his loan move from Brentford permanent for £30m next year.
It means Arsenal will have to sell before they can launch a bid for Toney, who is rated at £100m by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
The Gunners have a big squad to challenge both domestically and in Europe.
And Arteta is reportedly prepared to axe up to four players to raise funds.
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It is unclear who the Spaniard is ready to let go this winter.
But he is likely to look at players who have struggled to make a dent in the first team this term.
According to the Express, this could include England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
He is now No2 at the Emirates following Raya’s arrival and has been linked with a switch to Chelsea.
Midfielder Thomas Partey could also be on the list after picking up another injury which will rule him out until 2024.
And Emile Smith Rowe, who has suffered yet another fitness setback, could find his time up amid interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle.
The arrival of Toney could also cast doubt over Eddie Nketiah’s future.
He would likely plummet to third choice behind Toney and Gabriel Jesus, making him a prime candidate to go.
Arteta has shown he’s prepared to be ruthless after already selling fellow prospect Folarin Balogun on the back of 21 league goals last season.
In comparison, Nketiah netted four times in 30 Prem games and has a further five to his name this term.
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