Brentford line up Argentina wonderkid as potential Ivan Toney replacement in transfer boost to Arsenal and Chelsea

BRENTFORD hope to land  teenage Argentinian star Santiago Castro in an ambitious swoop.

The Velez Sarsfield striker, 19, is a major player for his nation’s highly-rated Under-20s side.

Getty

Brentford hope to land  teenage star Santiago Castro in an ambitious swoop[/caption]

Bees chiefs were in South America last week and want to do a deal for the  prospect, who has four goals in seven games for Argentina’s young guns.

It comes as Ivan Toney’s Brentford future remains up in the air – with SunSport revealing the striker is torn over a January move.

The Brentford star will return to action after Christmas and is widely tipped to leave the West London club.

Arsenal are thought to be at the front of the queue for his services with Chelsea also interested.

But a source close to the player said Toney – banned for gambling offences – feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brenford and to the club’s manager Thomas Frank.

It means any move could be held off until the summer.

The source said: “A lot of people assume Ivan will be on his way after Christmas, but no deal has been done – and nothing has been decided.

“Ivan is torn over his future. Brentford have stood by him and the club have been brilliant.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

“Part of him wants to help them by hitting the ground running straight away in January and scoring the goals which will ensure they stay in the Premier League.

“There are a lot of clubs interested in Ivan but his focus, for now, is getting back on the pitch at Brentford and doing the business for his manager Thomas Frank, to whom he feels he has a big debt to repay. The same goes for the fans.

“He’s determined to get back in the England squad and Ivan fully believes in himself to make the first squad once he’s back playing football.”

PA