Micah Richards believes Arsenal target Ivan Toney would be a great signing for Aston Villa in January.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards suggested that Aston Villa need to bring in another option up front.
The Remarkable Rise of Aston Villa
Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a move away from Brentford ahead of the January window, with Arsenal reportedly keen.
It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta’s men are in need of a new striker, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah struggling to find the back of the net regularly.
But Ollie Watkins has excelled for Villa this season, netting 13 times in 23 appearances.
The Englishman has starred under Unai Emery’s guidance but Micah Richards believes they need another option up front.
Richards says Toney would be ‘great’ for Villa
Richards was joined by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on the Rest Is Football Podcast and raised concerns about Villa’s options up top should Watkins pick up an injury.
He said: “We talked about it before, you mentioned [Ollie] Watkins, if Watkins were to get injured, I know they’ve got [Jhon] Duran as well but I would go out and potentially get an experienced striker that can see them through when they need to give Watkins a rest.”
Lineker responded: “You mean they should sign Alan Shearer? It’s not easy to get top-quality strikers is it, particularly in the January window?”
“No, not at all, I think maybe Newcastle will be looking for one as well,” Shearer added.
“If the incentive is good enough and we’re not talking about top, top quality,” Richards went on.
Lineker then asked for Richards to give him a name Villa could target and Shearer suggested Toney.
“Ivan Toney could be a great one, yes but I think he would want to start every game,” Richards responded.
“So, it’s very difficult if you want to still play the same system to have someone who can come into the team, can do a very good job, but is not expected to play every week and that’s why it’s a little bit difficult.
“You get them on loan, if they get Champions League, then they get a bumper contract at the end of it or a big bonus for getting them in the Champions League and then they can go back on loan from wherever they’ve come from.
“I would go with someone in the Danny Ings mould but not Danny Ings. Someone you know you can get like a younger Danny Ings, who would I go for? It’s not easy!”
There’s no doubt that Toney would improve most teams in the Premier League as he’s proven to be a lethal finisher during his time at Brentford.
The 27-year-old netted 20 goals in 33 league appearances last season but is yet to play a single minute this term due to his suspension after breaching FA gambling rules.
The £70 million-rated forward has been heavily linked with moves to Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea ahead of his return to action in mid January.
Fabrizio Romano also claimed just yesterday that Toney is really keen on the idea of joining Arsenal.
This feels like a non-starter for Villa due to the fee Brentford would demand and the heavy interest in the Englishman.
The Villains also already have a top-quality starting striker in Watkins and it would make little sense to break the bank to sign another in January.
