Arsenal manager boss Mikel Arteta is eyeing a January move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney to bolster the Gunners’ title challenge, according to the Daily Mirror.
The North Londoners are fifth in the Premier League table after six games, four points behind leaders Manchester City, and they are already making transfer plans ahead of the winter transfer window.
Arsenal are now stepping up their interest in the 27-year-old and will test the Bees’ resolve with a bid.
Toney is poised to leave Brentford in the New Year once his betting ban is up, but suitors will have to break the bank to acquire his services as the London club will demand at least £60 million to sell their hitman.
He recently returned to training after serving half of his eight-month ban for breaching strict FA betting rules.
Toney will return to action after January 17, 2024, once his ban for gambling offences is over, and Arsenal are ready to take the punt on him.
He bagged 20 Premier League goals in 33 appearances last term, and Arteta reckons his physicality will come in handy going forward.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have been guilty of missing big chances this term, and the Gunners boss knows he needs a quality finisher to have a chance of challenging Man City for the title.
Toney bagged 31 goals in 45 Championship games in 2020-21 to help Brentford seal promotion and has proven his quality in the top-flight, earning a call-up to the England national team.
Arsenal have created 13 big chances this term but have missed eight and converted just five, with a 12% shot conversion rate so far this term.
That has to improve for a team looking to pip Man City to the top prize, and Toney could prove to be an upgrade on their current striking options.
However, whether he will be able to hit the ground running in January remains to be seen as he would have missed half of the season by then.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation, and Arsenal will need to be very convincing to have a chance of landing their man.
