Arsenal ‘could MISS OUT on signing Ivan Toney in January because of Brentford’s dismal form’ – with Thomas Frank ‘desperate to keep his star striker in bid to beat the drop’

Arsenal have reportedly been dealt in their pursuit of Ivan Toney with Brentford boss Thomas Frank ‘desperate’ to keep hold of his star man until the end of the season.

The future of the £100million-rated England striker has been the subject of intense speculation since the summer transfer window, despite his eight-month ban from football for breaching FA betting rules.

That ban is set to come to an end next month and the Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Toney to help aid their bid to win the Premier League.

But while Arsenal are looking up, Brentford are looking down and their recent form suggests their facing a fight to stay in England’s top-flight.

The Bees were thrashed 4-1 by Wolves on Wednesday – their sixth Premier League defeat in seven games – and with survival on the line, Frank wants Toney to spearhead their bid to beat the drop once he returns from his ban, according to a report from The Sun.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made Toney his main target but will have to shell out to sign him

The report states that Frank is unwillingly to let Toney leave, especially as the continue to slide into a relegation battle.

However, while there is hope the England striker will stay in west London, Brentford’s technical director Lee Dykes admitted earlier this month that he is expecting ‘lots of interest’ for the 27-year-old.

Speaking to the club’s media team, Dykes hyped up the return of Toney who he calls ‘one of the top five strikers in the world’ and warned interested clubs they ‘will have to pay a decent transfer fee’. 

He said: ‘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.

‘There’s a real ambition from him and I can see in his eyes that he’s going to be better…