Stan Collymore has urged Brentford striker Ivan Toney to secure a transfer to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool instead of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
The 27-year-old is a sought-after figure in the transfer market and there are still question marks as to whether he will leave during the January transfer window.
On Saturday, after returning from an eight-month ban, Ivan Toney scored a free-kick to help Brentford beat Nottingham Forest – David Raya reacted to his goal.
If Arsenal wanted to sign him, you could bet your bottom dollar, pardon the pun, that his transfer fee just went up by a few million.
But rather than head to the Emirates, Stan Collymore thinks the England international is ‘perfect’ for Liverpool, as he told Caught Offside.
The former Reds striker just doesn’t feel that Arsenal have the winning mentality to match the ‘ruthless character’ the Brentford star is.
After previously playing for Newcastle United, Ivan Toney had to drop leagues before making his way back up to the Premier League.
Whether it’s Liverpool or Arsenal, if he were to join either club, it would be the biggest step of his career to date.
Ivan Toney to Liverpool
“I went to Brentford’s training ground around a month ago and talking to people there, although they didn’t make it very clear, I felt that they were already preparing for Ivan Toney’s eventual departure,” said Collymore.
“If I was advising him where to go next, out of the clubs that have shown interest, I would tell Toney to go to Arsenal. However, I think the Arsenal culture is still not a winning one. The Brentford star is a ruthless character and it is clear he wants to succeed, therefore, I don’t know if Toney’s attitude would rub off on Arsenal in a positive way.
“For me, if Liverpool decided to come calling, that would be perfect. I know they already have an embarrassment of riches in forward areas but if any of them were offloaded in the coming months, the Brentford star could be a great addition. I rate Toney so highly that I could see him in between Salah and Diaz.
“Liverpool will likely look at him and say ‘Not for us’ but If I was the Reds, I would genuinely be inclined to let Gakpo go, who I don’t think will go on to become a prolific Liverpool striker, and replace him with Toney. If they offered Brentford cash and Gakpo, I wonder if the Bees would go for that?”
Can Liverpool answer Arsenal back?
On Saturday, Arsenal smoked Crystal Palace 5-0 to return to winning ways and close the gap to leaders Liverpool by two points.
But if the Merseyside giants beat Bournemouth on Sunday, then that lead will open up again ahead of the duo’s meeting next month.
After winning in the FA Cup at the Emirates, Liverpool will be backing themselves to do the job again.
But there is also the small matter of Manchester City and Kevin de Bruyne returning, whilst Aston Villa and Tottenham just aren’t going away.
