Ivan Toney is ‘towards the top’ of Arsenal’s recruitment list for the January transfer window, but striking a deal for the 27-year-old will be harder than fans may be expecting. 

The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Brentford forward in recent weeks and Toney is said to be ‘really excited’ about the prospect of joining the north London club.

However, Mail Sport’s Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel has stated it may be harder than expected for Arsenal to sign Toney – who has been sidelined serving an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s rules on betting. 

He said: ‘Arsenal are very, very interested. But, it’s expensive in January. Particularly when you consider Arsenal spent close to £200m in the summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and obviously they loaned David Raya which will turn into a permanent deal. 

Ivan Toney is ‘towards the top’ of Arsenal’s recruitment list for the January transfer window 

Chris Sutton is not convinced Toney’s arrival at Arsenal will guarantee them a trophy

‘So, when you consider FFP [Financial Fair Play] and how much you can spend around those regulations, it will be a very difficult deal to do. It’s almost an impossible deal to do in January without outgoings.

‘Chris alluded to it, but having an out-and-out striker is a glaring void that they have in their armoury. Eddie Nketiah played against Fulham yesterday but I think they certainly need an upgrade. 

‘They’ve got Gabriel Jesus who started the majority of games when fit, he scored his fare shares of goals in the Champions League but in the Premier League… he has struggled for goals this season. 

‘It’s an area they are looking to strengthen, there’s no doubt about that. Toney is towards, if not the top, of their recruitment list for a striker. 

‘But, we have to remember heading into this month, there are other areas Mikel Arteta might look at and say that is a priority. 

‘I think they need a defender because they have so many injuries. They’ve got Takehiro Tomiyasu who will head over to the Asia Cup, Timber is injured, Zinchenko is injured. They’re always one injury away from a bit of a crisis in defence. That’s an area they will look to strengthen.’

Mail Sport’s Chief Football Reporter, Sami Mokbel, explained why a January deal is tricky

Toney’s eight-month ban from football is set to end on January 16 but he has been training behind closed doors and featuring in friendlies, ensuring rival clubs remain keen on him

Toney has been making a gradual come-back to training in recent months as his restrictions ease, having also played in a behind-closed-doors match according to reports.

His absence has been a huge loss for Brentford, with Toney returning an impressive 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last season. However, Sutton is not convinced Toney’s arrival at Arsenal will guarantee them a trophy. 

Speaking to Ladyman, Sutton said: ‘Ivan Toney doesn’t guarantee Arsenal a Premier League title. Of course, signing him doesn’t. But, how fit and ready to go will he be anyway?

‘When was his last game. You can’t bring a player in and chuck a player in when they haven’t played for six or eight months and expect him to hit the ground running. 

‘This isn’t kids’ football. This isn’t U12’s football. This is Premier League football, the strongest league in the world. He will take time to get up and running. If I was Brentford, I wouldn’t want to sell him anyway and they’re in a relegation battle.’