Ivan Toney sparks Arsenal transfer interest despite ban as Brentford have 'price in mind' for out of action striker

It seems Arsenal are set to test Brentford's resolve over Ivan Toney after the Bees reportedly slapped a £60million price tag on his head.

Toney hit 20 goals in the English Premier League last season and was a major factor in the club staying up at the first time of asking. It was therefore a hammer blow when the former Newcastle United man was hit with an eight month ban by the FA for gambling offences last May. Toney has only recently been able to return to training with Thomas Frank's squad, but won't be able to play for them again until January - just in time to spark a transfer frenzy.

Chelsea have already been credited with an interest in the 27-year-old, with the Stamford Bridge club seemingly in for the majority of potentially available targets. But now the Mirror claim that Arsenal are weighing up an offer as Mikel Arteta hunts for a proven goalscorer. Gabriel Jesus is fit again and partnered Eddie Nketiah in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham in the North London derby.

But neither have been as consistent in front of goal as Toney has. And with Erling Haaland seemingly unstoppable for champions Manchester City, Arteta knows he needs a predator of his own to fire Arsenal at least closer to Pep Guardiola's men in the title race.

How ready Toney will be after such a lengthy lay-off remains to be seen. A cash-plus-player deal involving Nketiah has been floated, although the recent England cap has vowed to stay and fight for his place in the Gunners team. But with Toney said to be keen on moving to a bigger club and Brentford aware of that, there's seemingly a deal to be done if their asking price can be met.