Arsenal told to make 'bank-breaking' transfer as Ivan Toney returns from ban

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023 in Brentford, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 on Saturday to move third in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta's side still need a centre-forward to bolster their title chances.

Ivan Toney has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for some time, and the Brentford striker is available again after serving an eight-month suspension for betting breaches – but that's not who the Gunners should prioritise, according to Ally McCoist.

Everyone's favourite bundle of punditry joy has been having his say as the end of the January transfer windows draws ever nearer.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 20, 2024. Arsenal wins 5 - 0 against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Arteta's Arsenal moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with victory over Palace (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking to talkSPORT BET, McCoist urged Arsenal to go after Napoli's Victor Osimhen, another striker long touted as a target for several Premier League clubs.

"Right now, Arsenal don't have anybody that they can turn to who will score them 15, 20, 25 goals in a season," the Scot said. "[Eddie] Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus will still score goals but not as many as they need to win the title; that is the problem."

In fairness to Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, he did bag 15 Premier League goals last season – but McCoist is right in that Arsenal do lack a prolific frontman.

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks dejected during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on December 23, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Osimhen finished as Serie A top scorer in Napoli's 2022/23 title-winning campaign (Image credit: Getty Images)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the last Arsenal player to reach the 20-goal mark in a league campaign, doing so in 2019/20.

McCoist suggested that the Gunners should "break the bank to sign Ivan Toney" – who Brentford price at £100m – but Osimhen would be his "number one pick" to lead Mikel Arteta's attack.

Currently on AFCON duty with Nigeria, the 25-year-old has racked up 39 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions for Napoli since the start of last season – although he wouldn't come cheap either, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at a hefty €110m (£94.5m).

More transfer stories from FourFourTwo

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with one of Serie A's hottest properties, but they could face stiff competition from a fellow European giant.

Meanwhile, Liverpool appear to be lining up the latest recruit in their ongoing midfield revamp.

And, elsewhere in the Premier League, Newcastle are said to be aiming to beat a number of domestic rivals to a sought-after star.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...