Mikel Arteta will have to 'sacrifice' two transfer targets in January after drawing up four-man shortlist

Arsenal will have to miss out on two priority positions in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

After 17 games the Gunners are at the Premier League summit, a point ahead of Liverpool and this season’s surprise package, Aston Villa.

With the club targeting a first league title in two decades, Arsenal are looking to boost their chances by strengthening in the January transfer window.

According to the Independent, the north Londoners are after a centre-forward, another midfielder and two full-backs next month.

However, given the club’s limited budget and concerns regarding Profit and Sustainability, they reportedly may have to compromise on at least two of those positions for the time being, unless there are outgoings.

The same report claimed Arsenal are leading the race to sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney ahead of rivals Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Brentford are allegedly willing to do business, having adapted the team to Toney’s absence following the striker’s eight-month suspension for breaching betting rules.

While Chelsea had allegedly been considered Toney’s most likely destination, the Blues need to make several sales in January to be compliant with Profit and Sustainability rules before they can consider buying a player said to be valued at an initial £60million.

Indeed, Toney could allegedly cost up to £80million when including add-ons.

Another element that has shifted the race for the one-cap England international, however, is Chelsea's underperformance this season.

Arteta's side offer the chance of challenging for the Premier League title this season and that has reportedly made the club Toney's preferred option right now.

Arsenal are also said to be considering the possibility that the forward could be the difference-maker in the title race.

Brentford's technical director Lee Dykes admitted this week that Ivan Toney could leave the club “very shortly”, but warned potential January suitors they will have to stump up a significant fee.

“I am so excited for Ivan to come back because I see him out there in training and he is some player; it looks like he’s never been away,” Dykes told the club website.

“There’s a real ambition from him and I can see in his eyes that he’s going to be better than he’s ever been; I really believe that will be the case.

“Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be. He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season - one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion.

“So there should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club. But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.”

Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Transfers, Ivan Toney

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.