West Ham United: Ironic Ivan Toney summer transfer twist shared amid Arsenal development
West Ham could be in the clear to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford as Arsenal have turned their focus elsewhere, according to Alex Crook.
The talkSPORT correspondent shared via the broadcaster’s website [26 March] that Arsenal are prioritising a move for Viktor Gyokeres.
It is an ironic twist as West Ham are said to have previously rejected the chance to sign Sporting CP’s Gyokeres when he was at Coventry City.
With Arsenal not pursuing a move for Toney, Crook states that it “could open the door for West Ham to complete an ambitious swoop”.
Arsenal and West Ham at transfer loggerheads
It seems that Arsenal and West Ham’s transfer targets are intertwined in many ways, with the clubs being linked with the same players.
Toney has also previously been touted as a target for Chelsea and Tottenham, but those rumours appear to have quietened down of late.
The Irons missed a trick by not signing Gyokeres prior to his Sporting switch, as he is now one of European football’s hottest striking talents.
Toney is a proven talent in the Premier League, though, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank recently hailing him as a “remarkable” player.
Having a clear run at signing him is one thing; finding the money and then persuading him to join is another.
Ultimately, the Hammers can likely offer European football and the prospect of challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League if he joins.
Brentford will likely want a fee of around £80million, but if Lucas Paqueta is to join Manchester City then that takes care of itself.
This still seems a long way off, but it is not as far wide of the mark as many may think.
In other West Ham news, Darren Bent was mocked in a discussion regarding whether a United first-teamer could succeed at Arsenal.
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