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Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to reports.
The Gunners are believed to be looking to sign a striker in the January transfer window to keep their hopes of pushing for the title alive with both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah struggling in front of goal in recent games.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit fifth in the Premier League table, dropping out of the Champions League places following their 2-2 draw with north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
According to the Mirror, Brentford are willing to part ways with the forward but want £60million for his services if he’s to leave in the January transfer window.
Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in signing Ivan Toney in the January transfer window
Toney is currently banned from playing, with his return expected on January 16 next year
Toney, who was banned from all football activity for eight months on May 17, is currently unavailable for selection after pleading guilty to 232 of the 262 betting charges brought against him by the FA last year.
The England forward, who made his debut for Gareth Southgate’s side earlier this year, is expected to be able to play for the club again on January 16, 2024 and is now back in full training after a four-month absence.
He has also been seen attending Brentford games, watching on from the crowd.
It is reported that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to bring a proven goal scorer into his squad with a physical presence, and Toney fits the desired profile having netted 20 times in the Premier League last season.
Arsenal stars Gabriel Jesus (left) and Eddie Nketiah (right) have been struggling in front of goal
Mikel Arteta is keen to recruit a proven scorer with a physical presence in the winter window
Merson (pictured) spoke of his ‘worry’ when he saw Arsenal’s team sheet ahead of facing Spurs
Former Arsenal man Paul Merson, meanwhile, has expressed his ‘worry’ over Arsenal’s options in attack, claiming that Arteta’s side should sign Toney in January after insisting their current forwards Nketiah and Jesus ‘do not take the Gunners to the next level.’
‘I’ve always said it from day one – Eddie Nketiah is not going to win you the Premier League,’ Merson told Sky Sports.
‘You need a proper centre forward. I’m not blaming Nketiah because they drew 2-2 with Tottenham but with 32 games to go and all the Champions League games they have to play, I don’t think he takes them to the next level.
‘I don’t even think Gabriel Jesus takes them to the next level.’
