Ivan Toney on the radar as Gunners search for striker intensifies

Arsenal fans will have to be patient before the club can sign a badly needed new No.9 striker.

The problem for the Gunners is that they will have to sell a big player to raise finance to buy a top talent.

Supporters want a fearsome battling centre forward and that means Ivan Toney is high on their radar.

Brentford’s valuation of £100 million will cause a headache for many potential bidders, including Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu will probably leave for the Asian Cup next week and the loss of Julien Timber has left the club dreadfully short of full-back options.

An incoming versatile defender is strong on Arsenal’s list. In midfield, Thomas Partey is struggling in his recovery from injury.

If Ivan Toney does end up joining Arsenal, the plan is to put Gabriel Jesus out on the wide left which would relieve pressure on Gabriel Martinelli.

I have been told that Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith Rowe could all be up for sale if big offers come in.

United’s hands tied bringing in fresh talent

Incoming shareholder Sir James Ratcliffe already has a list of priorities that is longer than most traffic jams in a major city.

Do not expect any high-profile incoming players this January because FFP rules will not allow United to spend.

Ratcliffe is critical of the £400 million spent, largely influenced by coach Erik Ten Hag, which included players who have proved to be less than successful.

United will be more focused on getting rid of players including Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, who has a loan deal with Eintracht Frankfurt, Raphael Verane, and Casimiro.

In-coming players to bolster United will be a problem which is why Ratcliffe is determined to act as mediator in the row between Ten Hag and Jadon Sancho.

The time has finally arrived when the club needs Sancho more than he needs United. Events could take over if United accept a loan bid from Borussia Dortmund who have offered to pay one-third of Jadon’s £250k-a-week salary.

Fans will react badly if Chelsea sell Gallagher

Chelsea management could find themselves under fire if they sell Conor Gallagher during the January transfer window. The latest fanzine magazine has Gallagher and Amando Broja on the front cover with the title “Two of our own who must not be sold!”

Gallagher is very much one of their own being an academy graduate who has supported Chelsea his whole life. When he plays, he gives 100 percent and never stops running and fighting. The fans love him.

As a midfielder, he is not stylish, not glamorous but he does bring fight to the midfield and also chips in the odd goal.

Chelsea fans believe he has more affection for the club than several of their expensive imports. Chelsea have to balance the financial books or face penalties from the FA and selling a homegrown player gives the club a better chance of meeting Financial Fair Play terms instead of selling a foreign player.

I can tell you that any reports you might have read or heard that Tottenham are talking to Chelsea about taking Gallagher are not true.

He has 18 months left on his contract and the Blues have received several enquiries but my inside sources reveal they are exploring ways to keep him at the club. Bringing in a new number 9 is a priority but I expect a quiet transfer in January for the Blues.

De Bruyne receives thunderous applause

Kevin De Bruyne was loudly cheered by Manchester City fans when he appeared with the squad warm-up for the match against Sheffield United.

Fans chanted his name but despite his presence on the pitch Pep Guardiola never intended to play him because he wanted to slowly reintroduce him and not aggravate the hamstring injury which has seen him side-lined since the opening day of the season when he limped off against Burnley.

The cheer that greeted his warm-up on the sidelines was almost as loud as the cheer for Julian Alvarez’s goal which happened a moment before.

Guardiola said, “I never intended for him to play today but he’s close and we asked him to come to the bench and to be in the dressing room.

"He’s training well and is starting to get minutes to get him back to his best. It’s incredible news. We are waiting on Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and John Stones. The second part of the season is already here.”

Guardiola told us the City squad will be taken to Abu Dhabi after the upcoming game against Newcastle on January 13 when the Premier League has a winter break which gives the Blues a free weekend.

**City have contacted French club Lille to try and sign center-back Leny Yoro during the January window. I can reveal that United are also talking to the player.

The Under-21 international has made 21 appearances for Lille this season and scored three goals.

Toon Army still supports Eddie at Newcastle

Coaching at Newcastle is like no other club. The demands from the Toon Army are relentless and they expect nothing less than winning. There is no time for second place on Tyneside. Eddie Howe has done a remarkable job with the tools provided for him but now big questions are being asked.

After being knocked out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup with mediocre league results, it seems everyone on social media is on the coach’s back with the word “sack” being sprinkled around like confetti.

However, I can tell you that is not what the fans on the terraces think. A walk around Newcastle proves just how much the true supporters love Eddie. But there are questions.

The injury crisis is critical: Top goalkeeper Nick Pope, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, and Sven Botman are all observers in the stands at the moment.

Dan Burns is being forced to play left back and he is uncomfortable in that position, right-winger “Miggy” Almiron is not a right-footed player and Bruno Guimaraes, whilst being a very talented player, often goes missing for large periods during the game. Up front, Callum Chambers and Alexander Isak are not capable of carrying the whole attack on their shoulders.

Despite many calling for Howe to go, that is not in the thoughts, at the moment, of the Saudi owners who believe Newcastle are still 2 years ahead of the plans they made when acquiring the club and they respect the coach’s skills and ability.

Korea’s gain is Wolves’ loss

Wolves boss Gary O’Neill is worried about losing star striker Hwang ‘Hwangso’ Hee-Chan when he jets off to the Asian Cup matches. Wolves have scored 30 times this season which almost equals their total last year.

The South Korean, who teams up with Tottenham’s Heung Son-Ming for Korea, could be missing for six weeks which seriously threatens O’Neill’s quest to push Wolves up the table.

He said this week, “I’m gutted to lose him and without wishing bad results on his nation, I hope he’s back as soon as possible because he has been a massive part of what we have achieved.”