Arsenal face wait for Toney
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is due back on the pitch for Brentford after Christmas as his betting ban is set to expire.
But The Sun notes that Toney is reluctant to jump ship quickly.
“The Brentford ace will return to action after Christmas and is widely tipped to leave the West London club.
“Arsenal are thought to be at the front of the queue for his services.
“But a source close to the player said Toney – banned for gambling offences – feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brenford and to the club’s manager Thomas Frank which means any move could be held off until the summer.”
Maatsen considers Chelsea exit
Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen stayed at Stamford Bridge when it had appeared likely he would move to Burnley in the summer, and that could be considered a mistake given he is no longer in the Dutch national side and is struggling to break into the first team under Mauricio Pochettino.
Now, the Mirror reports that the left-back is considering his future if things do not change for him soon.
“The left-back, 21, was the subject of transfer interest from Burnley and other Premier League clubs in the summer after starring for the Clarets on loan in the Championship last season. Maatsen has struggled for minutes at Stamford Bridge this term, though, and has yet to start a single league match.
“Maatsen has dropped from the Netherlands senior squad to the Under-21s in the wake of his restricted minutes at Chelsea – and he’s made it clear he could consider moving on if things don’t change.
“He said: ‘The European Championship, that’s what I’m secretly hoping for. I think I have also shown myself well to the national coach during training. I also know that I have to play more for that. I still think that is possible at Chelsea.
“‘As a young player you always want more. I gain confidence from the trainer’s words and I am ready when the opportunity comes. In the meantime, I have to keep all options open. I may have to make difficult choices later, but then the club will indicate that.’”
Dragusin attracts attention
Several Premier League sides are keen on signing Genoa’s 21-year-old Romanian international defender Radu Dragusin this winter, with a potential bargain price only making him more attractive.
The youngster has impressed so far this season and Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle are all interested in the player, who could be available for just £26 million.
“There are just over six weeks until the January window opens and clubs can splash the cash again. The summer saw an unprecedented outlay on new signings but it is unlikely to slow down come the winter.
“January is notoriously a harder month to convince clubs to sell their best players. But Dragusin’s potential availability could attract some of England’s top teams.
“Dragusin, 21, made his move to Genoa permanent in the summer after helping them gain promotion from Serie B while on loan there last term. He has started all 12 league matches so far in the middle of defence, scoring the winner in his last appearance against Verona.
“It is claimed Dragusin will pen a one-year extension to tie him down until the summer of 2028. But the report adds that [it] will include a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave if an offer of £26m arrives.”
Chelsea may recall Santos
The Evening Standard believes that Chelsea could recall one of their young on-loan players in January.
19-year-old midfielder Andrey Santos is rated highly at Stamford Bridge after joining from Vasco de Gama, and now Chelsea could bring him back from Nottingham Forest if he continues to struggle for minutes on the pitch.
“The 19-year-old Brazilian has featured for just 96 minutes in two appearances since joining Forest in the summer.
“He was not even on the bench for their 3-2 defeat at West Ham before the international break and Chelsea could activate a break clause in his season-long loan deal.
“Santos joined Chelsea in a £16million deal from Vasco de Gama in January and the Blues have high hopes for the teenage midfielder, who earlier this year captained Brazil to the South American Under-20 Championship.
“But the move has not worked out and Chelsea can recall him in January if he has not played a certain number of games.”
