28 February 2024 , 01:00
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Arsenal have drawn up a four-man shortlist which includes long-term target Ivan Toney ahead of the summer transfer window as they step up their search for a new No.9.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a number of strikers in January but were unable to bolster their squad due to Financial Fair Play commitments. However, Mikel Arteta remains determined to strengthen his forward line and signing a new first-choice striker will be a priority ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Toney, 27, has been on Arsenal's radar for months and remains a target. He could be available for a more reasonable transfer fee in the summer given he'll have just 12 months remaining on his Brentford contract - but he is not the only striker Arsenal are monitoring.
A new report from The Mail has outlined that the Gunners have three other strikers in mind ahead of the summer window. Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen has already teased a Premier League move and is of interest, while Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee is also a player the Gunners admire along with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres.
All four strikers have proven goal scoring pedigree and would fill a void in the current Arsenal squad. Gabriel Jesus has scored just eight times this season and has been plagued by injuries, while Eddie Nketiah has plundered just six goals.
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Mirror Football has already outlined that Jesus, who is nursing a knee injury, is being managed by Arsenal ahead of the title run-in. It's understood his injury record since joining the club in the summer of 2022 may be a factor behind the club's search for a new No.9.
Toney, who notched 20 goals for the Bees last term, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates for months. The Brentford talisman has scored four times in seven games since returning from an eight-month betting ban in late January.
Join the debate! Would Toney be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here.
Victor Osimhen is another player on Arsenal's radar (Getty Images)While Brentford made it clear that they would not consider bids for their talisman in January, their stance is likely to soften in the summer - something that head coach Thomas Frank has already admitted.
In an interview with Danish magazine Tipsbladet, it was claimed he said: "It’s quite obvious that Ivan Toney will most likely be sold in the summer. It can be expensive to sell your best player but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us."
Osimhen is also expected to be a move this summer. He signed a contract extension with Napoli earlier in the season but teased a move in January, saying he "already knew his next step" at the end of the season.
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