Striker who wants Arsenal transfer and Mikel Arteta admires given £60m price tag

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Brentford striker Ivan Toney is keen to agree a transfer to Arsenal in January and Mikel Arteta can sign his top striker target for far less than the £100m asking price quoted.

That is according to the Mirror, which reports that Toney is keen to leave Brentford come the mid-season sales. The 27-year-old has grown strong desires to join Arsenal while serving his eight-month ban. Gunners boss Arteta also still views the striker as their number one target.

Arteta placed Toney atop Arsenal’s striker shortlist back in September as he desires an extra dimension in their attack. He feels the forward can add a robust presence and fresh impetus alongside Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. And Toney now also wants a transfer to Arsenal.

Ivan Toney wants a transfer to Arsenal as Brentford set a £60m price tag

Brentford are open to selling Toney in January with the striker able to return to action after his ban. But the Bees are still confident they can drive a hard bargain, despite his desires to leave. So, Gtech Community Stadium chiefs have maintained a £60m asking price for Toney.

Recent reports by Sky Sports have suggested that Brentford will demand as much as £100m to sell Toney to Arsenal. He is also of interest to Chelsea ahead of the January sales. But the Mirror now notes that Brentford have maintained the £60m price tag they set in September.

Ivan Toney messaged Declan Rice after his late winner at Luton Town

The Mirror also cites a now-deleted Instagram post from Toney praising Declan Rice after he scored Arsenal’s winning goal at Luton Town. He supposedly tagged the midfielder in a story post, which he captioned: ‘What a game’. Rice scored in the 97th minute this Tuesday night.

Luton made life tough for Rice and Arsenal. The Hatters refused to recoil at Kenilworth Road against the Premier League leaders. But Rice was the Gunners’ saviour, to seemingly delight Toney, when he rose to meet Martin Odegaard’s cross for his third goal of the season so far.