Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion

Ivan Toney's come and get me plea was ignored by the Arsenal hierarchy. (Image: Getty)

Ivan Toney's come and get me plea was ignored by the Arsenal hierarch as the striker edges closer to his Brentford exit.

It's reported Toney is on the brink of securing a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ahli rumoured to be stumping up a fee in the region of £40million.

Toney has been linked to several Premier League outfits, including Chelsea, Manchester United and title hopefuls Arsenal.

However, for a multitude of reasons, all three turned down the chance to sign the England international, whose future appears to lie in the Middle East.

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It wasn't for the lack of desire on Toney's part, or at least that's how it came across, with the ex-Newcastle United forward having expressed his interest in moving to a top Premier League club in the past.

Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast last year, Toney revealed: "Whenever that time comes [to move on], so be it. My time at Brentford has been good; one of the best times of my career."

Host Steven Bartlett jumped in to ask: "When you say the right club, you're not talking about Liverpool, are you? I heard you're a Liverpool fan..."

Toney replied: “I have been a Liverpool fan my whole life, but I have liked Arsenal... I like watching Arsenal and how they play and kind of how passionate the fans are."

Ivan Toney admitted he's been an admirer of Arsenal for some time. (Image: Getty)

Despite the open and honest assessment, it wasn't enough to tempt Arsenal into spending the big bucks required to bring Toney to the Emirates Stadium.

It will come as a disappointment to the Gunners fans who believe Mikel Arteta's squad is lacking a guaranteed goalscorer - something Toney certainly is.

Toney will leave the Premier League having scored 36 goals in 85 top-flight appearances, a record of just under one every other game.

But it's hard to see who this move benefits the most.

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Toney won't get the chance to prove himself at an elite club fighting for titles and playing in Europe, while his spot in the England squad could be in jeopardy too.

Brentford have had to climb down from the - albeit lofty - £100million valuation they slapped on his shoulders last season and will have to replace Toney's efficiency in front of goal, or face the threat of being relegated.

And for Arsenal, while there will no doubt be a legitimate reason they snubbed Toney's interest, concerns over their options in attack look set to remain for this season at least.

Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion

Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion

Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion

Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion

Arsenal ignored Ivan Toney direct message as Al Ahli transfer on the brink of completion