Arsenal set up interest in pursuit of Ivan Toney

Chelsea are also keen on signing Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney is attracting more of Arsenal's attention as the January transfer window approaches.‌

To help Arsenal's title charge, Mikel Arteta, the manager of the Gunners, is considering making an offer for the Brentford attacker. The centre forward made his return to practice after spending half of his eight-month suspension for breaking the strict FA betting rules, and the Bees are eager to part with him but will ask for a minimum of £60m for him.

After serving his ban, Toney, 27, will be eligible to play once more in January, and Arsenal has him squarely in their sights.

Toney fits the criteria because he scored 20 goals at the top level last season, which Arteta wants to add to his roster in order to give his assault more physicality.

Longtime fans Arsenal might have pushed for him to sign in the summer if Toney hadn't been suspended. The Arsenals do have striker possibilities in Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, but they are also aware that they desire a prodigious scorer if they want to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Nketiah has vowed to battle for his spot and received an England call-up in spite of the fact that it is unclear whether he could even be included in a contract.

But Arteta has demonstrated his ruthlessness by displacing Aaron Ramsdale, a well-liked custodian, with David Raya, who is now on loan from Brentford with an agreement to turn permanently next summer.

Toney only has 18 months remaining on his contract, and Brentford is aware of his desire to transfer to a better club. Thomas Frank offered his whole support and a new contract after he was given suspension in May for 232 violations of the FA betting rules, but Toney has rendered clear to Brentford that he is not interested in signing a new term.