Arsenal transfer news: Brentford set Toney price as Gunners target Ajax wonderkid

After a strong start to their Premier League season, Arsenal have been dealt their first sustained blow just in time to strengthen in the January transfer window.

A home defeat to West Ham on December 28 was followed by another loss away to Fulham three days later. It was just the second time Arteta's men have suffered successive league losses since the start of the 2022-23 season, and has prompted some soul-searching as Arsenal aim to keep their title hopes alive.

There are a number of areas which fans may feel need strengthening, though there's only so much Arsenal can do in one month. Here are the latest lines from around North London.

Arsenal target Hato in focus

Jorell Hato is the latest defensive talent to be linked with an Arsenal switch. The Ajax youngster could become the second starlet from the Amsterdam club to arrive in North London in quick succession, following the Gunners' summer swoop for Jurrien Timber.

While Ajax haven't been enjoying the best of seasons, it's been something of a breakout campaign for Hato. The teenager became his club's youngest ever captain earlier this season at just 17 years of age, and is already in high demand.

While Arsenal's links are gathering pace, a summer switch looks more likely than a January swoop. Even so, Mirror Football has taken a closer look at the youngster ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.

Brentford name Toney price

Brentford will demand £100m if they are to part ways with Ivan Toney in January, according to The Independent. Last season's top scorer is finally close to a competitive return for the Bees as his ban nears an end, but Thomas Frank's struggling side could use his goals in the second half of the season.

The Bees are already without the injured Bryan Mbeumo, while Yoane Wissa is part of DR Congo's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. That leaves them light in attack, and it appears it would take a substantial sum to prise Toney away in January.

Chelsea could rival Arsenal for the England international, who scored 20 league goals last season. However, the same report suggests Mauricio Pochettino's side would need to raise some £160m through player sales in order to finance a deal.

Marquinhos to be recalled

Arsenal have opened talks over the possibility of recalling Marquinhos from his loan at Nantes. The Brazilian winger moved to France on a season-long deal but has played just 149 minutes in Ligue 1 so far.

The former Sao Paulo starlet joined Arsenal from the Brazilian club in 2022 and registered a goal and an assist on his Gunners debut in the Europa League. With Premier League minutes hard to come by, though, he spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship outfit Norwich City.

Now, Marquinhos has provided Nantes with "a problem", according to manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, after expressing a desire to play in the CONMEBOL pre-Olympic tournament for Brazil. With Nantes poised to add reinforcements in the form of Benie Traore and Tino Kadewere, the South American's options could be further limited.