Arsenal is gearing up for an important January transfer window, however, Premier League regulations may hinder their potential acquisition of Ivan Toney.

Arsenal will be preparing for a huge January transfer window, but a key move for Ivan Toney could be blocked by Premier League rules

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Ivan Toney transfer advantage explained as Arsenal blocked from completing January deal.

Ivan Toney is one of the most coveted Premier League strikers at the moment despite having been banned since May

Ivan Toney

Chelsea already hold major advantage over Arsenal in Ivan Toney transfer race

Chelsea already have a major advantage over Arsenal in the race to sign Ivan Toney. The 27-year-old continues to be heavily linked with an exit from Brentford despite receiving an eight-month ban in the summer for breaching Football Association betting rules.

Despite having not played in the Premier League since May, Toney remains one of the most coveted strikers in Europe. The England international will be eligible to finally make his full return to action on January 16, but his first competitive game back for the Bees won’t be until January 30 against Tottenham.

By then, he’ll also have just 18 months remaining on his contract. Despite the little time left on his deal at the Gtech Community Stadium and the danger that he may no longer be as good as he once was, Brentford have reportedly given him a £100million price tag.

With the January transfer window set to open in the coming weeks, the Bees will be bracing themselves for offers. But, one Premier League rule in particular prevents Arsenal from ducking Financial Fair Play restrictions and beating Chelsea to Toney’s signature.

Mikel Arteta will not be able to bring the Englishman to the Emirates Stadium on loan next month unless David Raya’s temporary deal is terminated. The English top-flight rules state: “The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.”

The goalkeeper joined Arsenal a loan in the summer, and football.london understands there is an option-to-buy clause worth £27million which will likely be triggered at the end of the season. The books do not roll over until the summer so sending Raya back to Brentford would negate the purpose of his loan.

Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney has been linked with a move to Arsenal in January

Ivan Toney’s potential loan move to Arsenal has been thwarted due to current Premier League rules that would block the deal going through. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a switch for the England international, who is serving the final month of his ban for breaches of FA betting regulations.

The Brentford forward has impressed since reaching the Premier League stage, offering a keen ability off the ball as well as the goalscoring aspect expected of him. His first season in the top flight saw him bag 12 goals on the way towards the Bees staying in the division comfortably.

That was only improved on further the following campaign, breaking the 20-goal mark as his side continued to establish themselves. The ban came as a huge blow to his progress, but that hasn’t stopped potential suitors looking at a move, with Toney now stepping up his training ahead of a potential return next month.

A link with a switch to the Emirates makes sense, given questions over their ability to show a clinical edge in front of goal during tight matches. Mikel Arteta was coy when asked about a striker back in September, but did name drop Toney when it came to listing those performing at the top level.

“We’re not thinking at all about that [signing a striker],” the manager said. “We have really good players up front. It’s true we have some injuries, but we will continue with the players that we’ve got that’s for sure.” When asked why traditional number nines have become rarer, he added: “It’s coming back, no? There are a few players when you look at Harry Kane, Haaland, Ivan Toney, Mitrovic. You have examples of players who score a lot of goals.”

While those links over a deal continue to swirl ahead of January, there are other concerns over whether Arsenal have the financial leverage to pull off such a move. As such, reports have suggested that a loan deal with an option to buy could be in the works to go around those concerns until the summer.

There is one issue with that, which is due to the Premier League rules that already surround the loan Arsenal have for David Raya from Brentford. The Spaniard joined on a loan with an option to buy – which football.london understands is worth £27million – which will likely be triggered in the summer.

However, league rules state: “The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.” While Arsenal have loan slots available, the fact they already have Raya from Brentford means Toney couldn’t make the same move.

It would mean one of two things: either Raya’s deal would have to be made permanent in January rather than the summer – though that is unlikely due to finances – or Toney would have to join permanently in January. The alternative is that Arsenal miss out, which could leave them light up front heading into the second half of the season.

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