Arsenal ‘unlikely’ to complete Ivan Toney transfer in January – Paper Round

The Mirror reports that while Arsenal are keen on Ivan Toney, it is “unlikely” they will land the Brentford striker in January.

“The problem for Arsenal is that they do not have much scope to do a big deal in next month’s window unless they make a significant sale. Like a few clubs, Arsenal have spent big in recent times and are having to be careful to stay within strict spending rules. It will be a ‘must sell before we can buy’ mandate in the window.

“That does not mean they will do nothing because they are actively looking and it may be that a defender is their No1 priority with a loan deal very much an option.

“Signing a player like Toney would also enable Gabriel Jesus to play wide left, give Gabriel Martinelli a much-needed break and mix up the options. Jesus is a brilliant player but he is not a poacher.

“Brentford do not want to sell because of their own issues – losing players to AFCON and a worrying run of bad results – and Arsenal could not do a deal like that unless they sell.”

The Sun reports that Al-Ahli might be willing to let Roberto Firmino leave on loan.

The Premier League could be his home once more, with Sheffield United rumoured to be interested in the former Liverpool striker.

“The Brazilian forward, 32, left Liverpool as a free agent after 111 goals in 362 appearances across eight years in the summer.

“And, less than six months after arriving, the striker is considering leaving.

“Sheffield United are keen to snap him up.

“Al-Ahli may be willing to arrange a loan transfer in January.”

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Alphonso Davies could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer.

Bayern Munich hope to keep the defender at the club by offering him a huge new deal.

“Others, such as Jude Bellingham, have not done badly in terms of having less money in a more than tidy current account. It was clear to him that his next move was to Real Madrid and he gave up a lot of money for it. Well, the Bayern full-back will also have to do something similar in the coming months if he is to make a move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

“Alphonso Davies is one of Real Madrid’s main targets, if not the number one, for next season. If the option of seeing Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland in white were not on the horizon, the Canadian would be the focus of all the efforts of Los Blancos.

“Bayern do not want to lose their full-back. Davies is a vital piece, a player who is capable of winning games, given his verticality and effectiveness in attack, in addition to not neglecting what is its main objective, which is none other than to defend.

“His contract is yet to be renewed, despite the fact that in recent weeks, the German club offered 10 million euros per season to get an extension deal, but so far without the desired effect.”

Tottenham could turn their attention to signing Genoa central defender Radu Dragusin.

They had been interested in Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, but the French side hope to keep hold of him for now.

“Postecoglou has told Spurs that as well as his top priority, which is a new central defender, he also believes his squad is in need of an additional winger and a midfielder, who can play the box-to-box No 8 role.

“Filling all three positions in January may be difficult and will almost certainly depend on departures, with Postecoglou keen for Tottenham to do their business as quickly as possible.

“The deficiencies in Tottenham’s squad were exposed again in the 4-2 defeat by Brighton when a number of players were once again missing through injury and suspension.

“With Nice hopeful of hanging on to centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo until at least the summer, Tottenham are expected to quickly step up their interest in Genoa’s Radu Dragusin.”