Transfer Talk: Arsenal may need Plan Bee to January Toney pursuit

Arsenal may struggle to complete a deal for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.

The Gunners' need for a new No9 was made all the more obvious in last night's 2-0 defeat to London rivals West Ham.

Mikel Arteta's side mustered 30 shots on goal and had 77 touches in the opposition's box but failed to get on the scoresheet at the Emirates with Gabriel Jesus missing numerous clear-cut chances.

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in 27-year-old Toney but according to The Sun, Brentford are reluctant to sell such a prized asset next month due to a recent run of poor form.

The Bees have lost five of their last six Premier League games and are just four points ahead of 18th place Luton, while another key attacker in Bryan Mbeumo is out for a number of weeks with an ankle injury.

As such, manager Thomas Frank is reportedly "desperate" to keep hold of Toney in the hope the England international can help stage a fightback when he returns from his ban for breaching gambling rules on January 17.

Toney scored 20 top-flight goals last season before being suspended in May, with no Arsenal player yet to bag more than five in the league so far this term.

In other news

Arsenal are interested in Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, say The Athletic, although a potential deal would likely have to take place in the summer.

According to talkSPORT, Roberto Firmino could leave Saudi side Al-Ahli after just six months with Sheffield United said to be one of the clubs interested in the Brazil forward.

Football Transfers report Newcastle are looking at Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah to bolster their defence for the second half of the season.