Chelsea launch bid for former Mag and Mikel Merino completes Premier League move

Chelsea have made a late move for Ivan Toney in a bid to hijack his proposed move to Saudi Arabia, while former Mag Mikel Merino has joined Arsenal.

Toney had been expected to join Al-Ahli and was offered a huge wage packet from the PIF-owned Saudi side. However, Sky Sports have revealed that Chelsea have now launched a bid for the Brentford striker.

Sky’s Kaveh Solkehol reports that our ‘big six’ rivals are keen to bring in a proven goalscorer and are confident of landing the 28-yar-old, offering him a chance to remain in the Premier League.

Wherever former Toon striker ends up, Newcastle are due 30% of the sell-on fee Peterborough receive from Brentford, meaning we could receive a couple of million if a deal in the region of £40-50m goes through.

As for Merino, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Spaniard has just signed his four year deal with Arsenal after the Gunners agreed a deal in the region of £33m with Real Sociedad.

The 28-year-old left Newcastle back in 2018, but will now join Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Arsenal after six seasons in Spain.