“He’s a penalty merchant, 60% of his career goals are penalties. Arsenal should avoid him”- Chelsea Legendary striker Didier Drogba fires serious warning to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal not to buy £100M hitman because he’s just a glorified penalty merchant and can’t score real goals

Premier League legend tells Arsenal not to buy £100m rated forward

Didier Drogba has provided his perspective on the possibility of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal signing Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.

The former Chelsea striker has shared his reasons for suggesting that Arsenal should refrain from making a bid for the Brentford striker.

According to reports on football transfers, Arsenal are keen on acquiring Toney during the January transfer window.

Drogba is of the opinion that Arsenal should refrain from signing Ivan Toney from Brentford in the January transfer window. The ex-Chelsea striker doubts Toney’s world-class status and questions his ability to elevate his performance at Arsenal.

Drogba told Premier League Productions: “His numbers are very good. But he does score an awful lot of penalties. You mentioned the figure earlier that about 60% of his goals are penalties, which is an awful lot.”

Arsenal’s motive for pursuing a striker in the January transfer window is the desire for a “proper” number nine who can contribute the necessary goals for a potential Premier League title win this season.

The recent reports suggest that the 27-year-old England international striker is eager for a move to the Emirates Stadium this month. Meanwhile, Brentford have placed a £100 million valuation on him and they’re determined to not sell him.

Toney has not played at all this season due to a ban. The former Newcastle United striker is due to return to action later this month.

Drogba said about Arsenal signing Toney in January on talkSPORT (7:39 am, January 2, 2024): “I’m not convinced you know. I think Ivan Toney might just feel, Brentford in their current predicament maybe he owes them to come back and keep them in the Premier League.

“I know from a Bees perspective they don’t really want to sell him this month, that’s why they put such a high asking price on him, in excess of £80m.

“They’re hoping that he’ll sign a new contract, probably with a release clause and then go in the summer.”

My View: Ivan Toney to Arsenal may not happen

I do not think that Arsenal will be able to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford in the January transfer window, even though Darren Bent would love him at the Emirates Stadium.

Brentford are an established club in the Premier League who do not have to sell any of their players for cash, especially in the middle of the season.

Football Transfers has reported that Brentford do not want to sell the 27-year-old striker and want £100 million for him. Arsenal are not willing to pay it, according to the report.

If Brentford do not want to sell the striker, then he will just have to stay at the London club. After all, he has a contract with the Bees.