“I honestly don’t to want him to join Arsenal because he going to smash so many records, a player of his qualities does not deserve a club like Arsenal”- Man United Rio Ferdinand confesses he doesn’t want ‘brilliant’ player to join Arsenal this summer as he envies the player’s immense talent and potential

‘Stay’… Rio Ferdinand really doesn’t want ‘brilliant’ player to join Arsenal this month

Ferdinand has given his verdict on speculation linking Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal with Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

The former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit hopes that Toney stays at Brentford and does not join Arsenal or Chelsea.

So, what has Gary Neville said about Arsenal target Ivan Toney? Let’s take a look.

Rio Ferdinand wants Arsenal target Ivan Toney to stay at Brentford

Well, Ferdinand has said that he hopes that Ivan Toney stays at Brentford. The former Manchester United defender does not want the striker to join Arsenal or Chelsea in the Janaury transfer window.

The Sky Sports pundit has noted that Arsenal are keen on Toney, but he does not see a potential move to the Emirates Stadium happening this month.

On December 30, The Independent reported that the Gunners want to sign Toney. Arenal manager Mikel Arteta personally wants the 27-year-old striker at the North London club. Stuart Pearce thinks that he is perfect for Arsenal.

The Athletic has reported that Chelsea are keen on Toney, who has scored 32 goals and given nine assists in 68 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.

Ferdinand said on his podcast: “There has been big talk, hasn’t there, around a big transfer potentially to Arsenal? I don’t see it happening personally at this point in the season or in the transfer window.

“He is a brilliant player, isn’t he? We have seen clips on social media this week of goals that he has been scoring, a Panenka penalty this morning, which was nice. He is obviously getting his games in behind the scenes, behind closed doors.

“Brentford are a wonderful club. I love going to Brentford, one of the favourite grounds in the league. I have not been for a bit, but with Ivan Toney upfront, with Wissa, with Mbeumo, they are one of the great threats, a bit of a throwback of how they play, and I think him coming back will mean, and I hope Brentford keep him for the rest of the season and I hope Ivan Toney plays at the highest level as well at some point in the near future, but I think for Brentford to keep him for the rest of the season will be really good.

“I mean, there’s talk of Chelsea and Arsenal sniffing around him, but I hope he does stay at Brentford to give them a really strong finish to the season and I am delighted that he is back.”

My View: Janaury transfer unlikely

In my opinion, it is very unlikely that Ivan Toney will leave Brentford for Arsenal or Chelsea in the January transfer window.

The striker is just about to return for Brentford after serving a ban. He has not played at all all season. The Bees would not want to sell him either.

I do not think that Toney will push for a move away from the Bees in the middle of the season. It is very likely that the former Newcastle United striker will stick with the London club until the summer of 2024 at least.

Toney himself has spoken about how he wants to repay Brentford for sticking with him. I find it hard to see envisage a scenario when he will abandon Brentford, especially as they need him to avoid the dreaded drop to the Championship at the end of the season.