Arsenal are currently unlikely to sign a striker in the January transfer window, despite making Ivan Toney a serious target.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that as it stands, it appears unlikely Arsenal will sign a striker in the January transfer window.

The Gunners aren’t actively looking to bring in a centre-forward, though they may react to any opportunities late in the window.

Mokbel adds that Ivan Toney is a serious target for Arsenal in 2024, but one they’re more likely to pursue in the summer, when their spending is less restricted.

Brentford's Ivan Toney reacts as he attends the English League Cup third-round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Brentford’s Ivan Toney reacts as he attends the English League Cup third-round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Toney had been heavily linked with a January transfer before the window actually opened, with Arsenal and Chelsea among those reportedly interested, but those links never progressed into anything.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank was emphatic earlier this month that they have no plans to sell the striker in the winter window.

“Yes, he’s staying,” Frank said in a January press conference.

“He is a Brentford player. I can’t see why we would sell him and I would love to have him for a longer time. It needs to be an unbelievable price. So he will stay here.”

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

David Ornstein recently reported for The Athletic that there had been no developments in Arsenal’s potential pursuit of Toney, and it would take a massive bid to change that.

Ornstein added that Toney is particularly likely to stay now that Bryan Mbeumo is injured for around three months.

The journalist claimed the most probable scenario is a summer sale or a free transfer in 2025.

Toney returns from his gambling ban this weekend, with Brentford facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon at 17:30 GMT.