26 January 2024 , 01:00
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Brentford are scouring the lower leagues for the next Ivan Toney as the Bees prepare for life without their talisman.
The sought after striker, 27, is being courted by some of the Premier League's elite after plundering 20 goals last season and returned from an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules with a bang last week by notching against Nottingham Forest.
Toney has 18 months left on his current deal and was heavily linked with a blockbuster switch in the January transfer window amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.
It's understood that Brentford are reluctant to sell their prized asset this month as they bid to preserve their top-flight status for another year. However, it has now been revealed that the club are already trying to find another unpolished gem to step in when Toney does eventually move on.
A new report from The Mail has outlined that Brentford are currently scouting strikers in the lower divisions in a bid to find the 'next Toney', who they plucked from League One outfit Peterborough back in 2020.
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Replacing the England international, who has scored 69 times in 125 appearances for the Bees, will be easier said than done by Thomas Frank's side, though.
Despite Arsenal's interest in Toney, Mikel Arteta ruled out making a move for the prolific hitman earlier this month when he was quizzed about the Gunners January transfer plans.
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Mikel Arteta has ruled out a move for Toney this month (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)When he was asked outright whether signing a new No.9 was on his agenda, the Spaniard insisted: "No. But the first thing that’s because I love the players that we have."
Those comments came just days before Arsenal got their title push back on track with an emphatic 5-0 win over struggling Crystal Palace last weekend - a result that keeps them within touching distance of champions Manchester City and current league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal have also been linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen - who teased a Premier League move earlier this week - and AFC Bournemouth hotshot Dominic Solanke, who has been in red-hot form for Andoni Iraola's side.
The Gunners resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday before a mouthwatering showdown against Liverpool next Sunday.