Arsenal may need to sell some of their periphery players in order to meet Financial Fair Play requirements if they want to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford in January.
The English international, who is out until January after serving an eight-month suspension from the Football Association for betting violations, is the target of the Gunners.
Toney is committed to Brentford until 2025 and is highly regarded by the Bees. He has also been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham.
The 27-year-old will return to first-team action in 2024, according to manager Thomas Frank, although the player is reportedly interested in moving on in January.
In a recent interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Toney expressed his readiness to advance in his career and his enthusiasm for Arsenal.
“If I moved, the next club I went to would be the correct club. I’ve always supported Liverpool, but I also enjoyed Arsenal when I was little.
“I’ve enjoyed watching Arsenal play and seeing how devoted their supporters are. I’m a true Liverpool lad.
The Times reports that Brentford has set a prohibitive valuation on the striker of £80 million, despite the fact that it is believed that the Gunners are in the lead in the race to recruit him.
And if they did sign the 27-year-old, the north London club would reportedly have to sell players by the end of June in order to abide with FFP rules.
Players like Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, and Emile Smith Rowe might be made available to generate money at the Emirates.
Toney will be watching Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match between Brentford and Arsenal in the interim.