Arsenal chiefs are determined to upgrade their attacking department in the January transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta and the club seek their first Premier League trophy in 18 years.
The Londoners' main target in the January market will be Brentford striker Ivan Toney. It is learned that the parties are already in talks, according to the English media, and coach Mikel Arteta is playing an important role in the negotiations. Chelsea are also understood to be interested in Toney's card. At Stamford Bridge, the club's management have given manager Mauricio Pochettino the green light to bring an experienced striker into the team. However, it is learned that Arsenal are much closer to reaching an agreement with the Brentford bomber.
Sources close to the player suggest that Ivan is a fan of the football Arsenal are playing under Arteta. The club's leaders, meanwhile, are ready to go on the attack, with the idea within the squad that Arsenal just lacks a genuine striker to compete for the Premier League title. Currently, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have tried to play in the forward role, but have scored only 4 goals in total between them.
Brentford are hoping to get £80m for Toney's January signing, however Arsenal insiders believe a deal could be struck for less.
At the moment Toney is out of the green fields, after the conviction for placing illegal bets. The player is expected to return in January, at the same time when the market opens. This means that there is a possibility that Toney will not return to the pitch for Brentford, should the move to Arsenal be finalised.
