Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'draw up high-profile three-man shortlist of Ivan Toney replacements'

By Carter White | 31 December 2023

Arsenal are reportedly keen on Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez and Victor Boniface as alternatives to Brentford's Ivan Toney ahead of the January window.

Arsenal have reportedly produced a three-man shortlist of Ivan Toney alternatives, including Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez and Victor Boniface.

After missing out on the Premier League title to treble winners Manchester City last season, the Gunners are looking to go one further this time around.

Mikel Arteta's side currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings but have the chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola's Citizens, Aston Villa and Liverpool with a win at Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners suffered defeat to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night, with the hosts failing to find the net as Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos scored for the Hammers.

Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka currently lead Arsenal's goalscoring charts with five goals each in the Premier League, and the North London are targeting reinforcements for their attack.

Brentford forward Ivan Toney celebrates scoring against Newcastle United on April 8, 2023 © Reuters

According to CBS Soccer, Arteta and the Gunners' sporting director Edu have drawn up a list of potential options should they unable to secure the services of Brentford's Toney.

The first of which is understood to be Napoli's Osimhen, who helped the Italian giants to their first Serie A title of the century last campaign.

Osimhen recently signed a bumper new contract in Naples which supposedly contains a £113m release clause - a stipulation that Arsenal would be unable to trigger in January.

Inter Milan's Martinez is another forward who is attracting serious interest from North London, with the 26-year-old Argentine netting 15 goals in 16 league matches so far this season.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring their second goal on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

The final name on the Gunners' shortlist is Bayer Leverkusen attacker Boniface, who is enjoying a productive first season in Germany following a summer switch from Union SG.

Boniface has made the net ripple on 10 occasions in 16 Bundesliga matches, helping Xabi Alonso's men to lead Bayern Munich by four points in the title race.

Despite Arsenal's fondness of all three players, it is understood that none of the three would be available for a transfer during the upcoming January window.

Brentford are said to be reluctant to selling talisman Toney after the New Year, with the Bees only four points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.