Ivan Toney 'transfer agreed' with Mikel Arteta set to adjust Arsenal's summer plans

Ivan Toney looks set to move to Saudi Arabia, ending any chance of a move to Arsenal and any other Premier League club. The England international had been tipped to move to the Emirates Stadium and was also linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta’s side were identified as a club who should sign him, due to the fact they look set to compete for the Premier League title without an out-and-out striker. The Gunners are continuing to persist with Kai Havertz or Gabriel Jesus leading the line as a ‘false nine’ instead of a striker.

Gunners’ forward Eddie Nketiah also looks set to depart the club this summer. But despite Jesus recently picking up an injury, it appears Arteta is prepared to stick with his current options upfront.

According to GiveMeSport, Toney has agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. The division’s vice-chairman Saad Al-Lazeez and sporting director Michael Emenalo are reportedly thrashing out a deal in London.

Toney has been left out of the Bournemouth squad for the Bees’ opening Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. Speaking after their 2-0 away loss to the Merseysiders, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “The status is the same as last week. Things are going on with transfer speculation so the decision is the same.

“He is training well, there is no problem. I’d rather focus on the game and the players that are playing instead of talking about him.”

Arsenal have indeed bolstered their squad with the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya and the signing of Italian star Riccardo Calafiori, while Real Sociedad’s midfield maestro Mikel Merino is believed to have completed a medical, reports the Mirror.

Arteta has been pleased with the Gunners’ transfer activity, although he recently admitted his options are few in the forward areas. After their 2-0 away victory over Aston Villa, Arteta said: “We are really happy with the squad we have. It is ‘true’ we have an injury with Gabriel Jesus as well and we missed him.

“So we are a little bit short. If we can do something we will do it but at the moment we love the ones we have, they are really, really good.”

When asked if he is happy with his current squad, he added: “If everybody is fit, yes. But that is why we need good availability from everybody.

“We don’t have 23 outfield players and normally you have to be equipped like that. We have to trust in our academy players and make sure we look after the ones we have to be robust.”