Arsenal urged to complete bold transfer for £70m striker as Chelsea ‘block’ Wolves bid

Arsenal have been urged to boost their forward options by making a move for Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney.

The Bees star is currently out of action as he serves an eight-month ban for breaching the Premier League’s betting rules and won’t make a return to the on-field action until the new year. However, despite the presence of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and summer signing Kai Havertz in Mikel Arteta’s squad, former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd has insisted the ‘prolific’ Toney can thrive at one of the division’s top clubs and admitted he would ‘love Arsenal to sign him’.

Speaking on Sky Sports Saturday Social, the former Gunners academy graduate said: “He scores goals, he is prolific, he is strong, he leads the line really well. If you put him in any of the big teams, he is going to score at least 20 Premier League goals a season. Great on penalties. I would love Arsenal to sign him.”

The 3AM Verdict: It’s highly unlikely Mikel Arteta listens to any pundits when it comes to formulating his transfer plans - but Bothroyd does have a point. Toney’s pace, movement and, most importantly, his finishing, would see him fit into the Gunners side and he would provide them with something very different at the top end of the pitch.

Chelsea eye move for France Under-21 star

Chelsea’s attempts to continue adding young talent from around the world to their squad has reportedly taken them to France as they look to take advantage of their link with Strasbourg.

The Blues current owners completed a takeover of the French club earlier this season and links between the two clubs are set to increase over the coming months. Chelsea summer signing Angelo Gabriel is currently on loan with the Ligue 1 outfit - but Football Insider have claimed there could be a player moving in the opposite direction after the Blues showed an interest in midfielder Habib Diarra.

The 19-year-old was said to be attracting interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers - but that move was blocked as Chelsea looked to steal a march on their Premier League rivals by making their own move for Diarra.

The 3AM Verdict: The Blues are putting together a squad full of talented youngsters and there should be little surprise that they are looking at a player impressing for a club owned by the same consortium in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Red Devils could make move for Wolves star

A midfielder moving from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester in a surprise deal has the feel of one you’ve heard before.

But it is the red half of Manchester that are looking to emulate their cross-city rivals by making a move for a Molineux star according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. Erik ten Hag is said to be keen on securing the services of Brazilian star Joao Gomes just weeks after City landed Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.

The former Flamengo star only joined Wolves last January and has gradually settled into life in the Premier League. That is said to have captured the attention of Ten Hag as he looks to continue developing his squad at Old Trafford.

The 3AM Verdict: There is a feeling this one may be right player at the wrong time for Gomes. The Brazilian is still settling into life in the Premier League and there is a need for time and patience before he proves himself capable of coping at one of the most high-profile clubs in the division.