Arsenal and Chelsea striker target Ivan Toney is reportedly gearing up for a January exit and has informed Brentford of his desire to leave when the winter transfer window opens.
According to 90min, Arsenal and Chelsea have both held discussions with in-demand Brentford striker Ivan Toney’s representatives, and the 27-year-old England international is “ready to try and push through a January transfer away from the Gtech Community Stadium” in the upcoming transfer window.
Toney was suspended for eight months in May after admitting 232 breaches of Football Association gambling rules, but he has been allowed to resume training at the Premier League club since September 17.
The 27-year-old enjoyed his most prolific campaign in the Premier League last time out, making the net ripple 20 times in 33 league appearances, falling behind only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the Golden Boot Race.
The former Newcastle United marksman has also gained international pedigree over the past 18 months, earning his first-ever England call-up back in September 2022. But while the 27-year-old’s return will be encouraging for Brentford boss Thomas Frank, it has also sparked interest among a number of Premier League top guns keen to sign him.
However, it would take a monumental offer to bring him in, with suggestions of a deal worth in excess of £80 million reportedly being mocked at the Brentford Community Stadium as they look to keep him around at least until the end of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues and Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are said to be interested in securing the services of the Englishman; however, both of the London-based clubs will be reluctant to pay the aforementioned sum and have explored using fringe stars as makeweight to drive down the final cost of the operation.
Despite his commitment to Brentford, Toney is reportedly stunned by the Bees’ steep price tag, and the England striker is now understood to have outlined his desire to make the next step in his career as he looks to push through a winter departure.
Arsenal, for one, are understood to be in a very strong position for his signature, and manager Mikel Arteta is a key part of the plan. The 27-year-old is a huge fan of the Spaniard’s side and has been watching the team with real interest, recently stating that he would be keen to play in the current Gunners side.
Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz have all taken up the striker role this season but have blown hot and cold when it comes to finishing off their chances. Therefore, signing a proven Premier League striker like Toney could only be a boost for the Gunners as Arteta looks to lead the club to its first Premier League title in 18 years.
The Blues, meanwhile, are rueing not signing a marquee striker for Mauricio Pochettino last summer, with young Nicolas Jackson still finding his feet in the Premier League and Christopher Nkunku missing a good chunk of the season through injury. They plan to bring in an experienced striker, with Toney ticking all the boxes.
Despite Brentford playing hardball lately, the expectation is that Toney will leave them in January, and both London sides are prepared to go to battle for his signature.
