Arsenal are strongly considering a mid-season swoop for Brentford ace Ivan Toney.

The striker is currently serving an eight-month ban from all football for breaching FA betting rules but can return to action from January 17, 2024.

Bees boss Thomas Frank admitted earlier this month that his talisman could be sold in the winter window — and the Mirror claim the Gunners are now front of the queue.

Brentford will not sell their star man on the cheap and reportedly plan to demand at least £60million from any suitors.

But that hefty fee has seemingly not put off Mikel Arteta, who is keen to bolster his central striking options with a physical presence as well as a more reliable goal threat.

Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have managed just two goals apiece so far this term with midfielders Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard all proving more prolific.

Toney, 27, notched an impressive 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term and was handed his England debut against Ukraine in March.

He has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football which may give the Gunners the edge over London rivals Chelsea in any bidding war.

In other news

Marc Cucurella is desperate to leave Chelsea in January having struggled for minutes under Mauricio Pochettino say The Sun.

According to TalkSPORT, both Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne will be the subject of transfer approaches from Saudi Pro League clubs next summer.

Bayern Munich plan to move quickly in January to secure the services of Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz before a bidding war ensues, report Fichajes.