Rio Ferdinand has warned Ivan Toney that if he allows his pride to get in the way of his decision to sign with Arsenal in the summer, he will end up in trouble for himself.
With just one year left on his current contract, the 27-year-old striker from Brentford is expected to draw more interest in the summer. He was strongly linked to a move to the Gunners before the January transfer window.
Thomas Frank made some remarks earlier this week, and Toney responded teasingly, stating that it was likely that Brentford will sell their top player in the summer. “I see that [Frank’s remarks] as he doesn’t want me!” joked Toney.
“The manager has said what he’s said but I can’t make clubs come and get me. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s score goals. What will be will be.”
Although Ferdinand believes that Toney’s remarks have been misinterpreted, he has forewarned the former Newcastle player that the elite of the Premier League will not put up with large egos, either on or off the pitch.
Regarding Toney’s remarks, Ferdinand stated on his Five podcast, “He said it in jest! He wouldn’t move that way, in my opinion [with a strong ego]. That would surprise me. Recall that he hasn’t performed for a major league team. He’s going there, so he needs to know his place in the hierarchy and treat others with respect.
There are some big players in there. Do you think he is going to come with that chat about Mikel Arteta when you have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus?”
