Arsenal have £22m bid 'rejected' for Ivan Toney transfer alternative
Arsenal have reportedly had a bid rejected for Getafe striker Borja Mayoral. The forward is enjoying a memorable season in La Liga, scoring 14 goals in 22 games.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for a new striker during the January transfer window due to their struggles in front of goal. Arsenal have scored once in their last three games, spurning plenty of chances in the process.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney had been claimed to be a top target for the Reds as the England international prepares to make his comeback from an eight-month suspension due to gambling offences. However, the Bees’ asking price of around £100m has seemingly pushed the Gunners to pursue other targets.
It has been reported by The Sun that Arsenal tabled an offer of £22m for Getafe’s Mayoral. The La Liga club are said to have rejected the Gunners’ opening bid as they value the forward in the region of £39m (€45m).
Mayoral, 26, is a product of Real Madrid’s youth academy and spent time on loan at Roma and Wolfsburg, among others, before signing for Getafe on a permanent basis last season. The report adds that Arsenal have been monitoring Mayoral since November.
When asked about the possibility of signing a new striker, though, manager Mikel Arteta implored supporters to back the club’s current attacking options: "What I beg from the supporters is that they are behind the team like they have been in difficult moments,” he said. “Stick behind the ones that we have. They are incredibly good. If not then they don’t do what they’ve done today and in Anfield.
“Stick by them. That’s exactly what they need. Then they feel important and supported. With their attitude they don’t deserve anything different. That’s my opinion.”
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