Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Brentford striker Ivan Toney who has been in top form in the EFL Championship in the 2020/21 season.
According to an exclusive report from the Express, Premier League heavyweights are tracking 24-year-old English striker Ivan Toney, who has been in red-hot form for EFL Championship outfit Brentford.
Having come through the youth ranks at Northampton Town, Toney moved to Newcastle United joined Newcastle United, but was never quite able to become a regular at St. James’ Park.
Instead, the striker had a series of loan spells away at Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic and Scunthorpe United before joining Peterborough United permanently in 2018.
Toney enjoyed a prolific two-year stint at Peterborough which earned him a transfer to Brentford in the summer window last year. Since joining the Bees, the 24-year-old has been scoring goals for fun, bagging 16 goals in 22 league games in the second division, while also setting up four more for his teammates.
It is now being claimed that Arsenal have been impressed by the Englishman’s exploits and are now closely tracking his progress. Goals have been a problem for the Gunners this season with none of the strikers – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah – impressing on a consistent basis.
In addition, teenage sensation Folarin Balogun is closing in an exit from the Emirates, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. Furthermore, Lacazette has only eighteen months left on his current deal with the North London giants, casting uncertainties over his long-term future at the club.
This could force Arteta and Arsenal to dip their toes in the transfer market in the summer to bolster their attacking unit. And, Toney has emerged as a prospective target for the club as they realise that failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League would mean they will be unable to recruit a top-bracket, elite centre-forward.
As things stand, Arsenal scouts will continue to monitor Toney’s growth and development with Brentford, with no imminent move believed to be in the works. However, they will need to be wary of competition from fellow London club West Ham United, who are eyeing the 24-year-old as a replacement for Sebastien Haller who was sold to Ajax earlier this month.
