Ivan Toney's Arsenal future 'SHIRT NUMBER' revealed as agent and Brentford manager gives greenlight for January transfer

  Arsenal have been boosted in their pursuit of Ivan Toney as the Brentford star's 'preference' is to seal a move to the Emirates Stadium, and journalist Ben Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT who could head in the opposite direction as they look to get the deal over the line.

The Gunners were not afraid to splash the cash during the summer, when Declan Rice became their most expensive acquisition of all-time by sealing a £105million switch from West Ham United, but boss Mikel Arteta will be handed another opportunity to bolster his squad when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.

Toney, who is in line to return to action midway through January after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting regulations, is among those understood to be on Arsenal's wishlist as they look to end their wait for a Premier League title.

Gunners leading chase for Toney

Arsenal are ahead of London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to acquire Toney during the winter window, according to the Independent, after they have been pinpointed as his dream destination due to a challenge for silverware being on the cards.

The report suggests Brentford are open to sanctioning a deal worth up to £80million, despite the striker's potential exit coming as a huge loss for Thomas Frank's side after scoring 68 goals in 124 appearances, and the Gunners feel he could make the difference in their bid to be crowned champions.

Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GIVEMESPORT it is likely that Toney would choose to join Arsenal instead of Chelsea due to Champions League football being on offer and the club boasting an established vision under Arteta's stewardship.