EXCL: Chelsea ask about free agent, latest on Ivan Toney situation, plus my thoughts on who should win player of the year

Today's exclusive column, featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, and much more!

Latest on Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal future, and is Ivan Toney still a target?

I’ve had a lot of questions from fans about Gabriel Jesus’ future at Arsenal after some rumours that he could be sold for the right price this summer. Mikel Arteta, however, was quite clear when he spoke about this in his press conference - he said that Arsenal have absolutely not made any decision to sell Jesus.

From what I’m hearing, Arsenal have not made any communication to the player or to his agents about the intention to sell him in the summer transfer window, but this is not changing Arsenal’s strategy in terms of strikers. Arsenal want to bring in a new striker in the summer, and I’ve previously told you about their appreciation of players like Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. We also have to remember that they like Alexander Isak at Newcastle, though that would be a complicated one.

So, Arsenal are looking for a striker, but it doesn’t mean that they have to sell Jesus. So at the moment the situation is quiet, they don’t want any distraction at this important moment of the season. We’ll see what happens in the summer, but at the moment the feeling is Arsenal could sell Eddie Nketiah instead, because there is interest from clubs in the Premier League, and also there was interest from Bundesliga clubs last year. So Nketiah could be on the move, but for Jesus at the moment it’s quiet.

It’s also quiet around Ivan Toney right now. Honestly, Arsenal and Chelsea never made proposals now or in January despite links - I’m told Toney’s situation will be assessed in the summer and it’s not one for May. Let’s see the strikers domino, and the player’s price tag. Brentford never wanted to make any discount for Toney, despite some talk of his price coming down significantly.