Arsenal and Chelsea in Talks to Sign Ivan Toney from Brentford

Arsenal and Chelsea have held talks over a deal to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window, according to reports. Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban after he accepted 232 breaches of the Football Association’s rules on betting and is unable to play for Brentford until January 16, 2024.

The 27-year-old returned to training with Brentford on Monday but has already been linked with a move away in January, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that both Arsenal and Chelsea have already made enquiries.

Premier League Priority for Ivan Toney

‘The Premier League is the priority of the player,’ Romano said on his YouTube channel. ‘Chelsea are well informed of the situation of the player but also Arsenal are well informed on the conditions of a potential deal. Both clubs have asked for information. At the moment we can guarantee that both Chelsea and Arsenal are informed of the situation.’

In the summer window, reports claimed that Brentford were demanding an £80 million fee for Toney, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season.

Brentford Open to Selling Ivan Toney

Meanwhile, Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted on Monday that the club would be open to selling Toney ‘if the right price is there’.

‘I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him,’ Frank said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. ‘For me he’s one of the best strikers, as a striker No.9, I don’t see many out there who is better in the world than him, of course you have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these types, but not many. He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year, in, of course, a very good Brentford side but of course we are not creating as many chances as the top six or seven teams.

‘So imagine him in a top team, he’d easily score 20, 25 goals, for me. I think he’s composed, he’s a good finisher, top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him. But he’s a Brentford player now, and if people want to come… in today’s market, the price for No.6 position players, we all know goalscorer or attackers are the most expensive ones. I guess that would be very expensive, unless it has changed and you pay more for a No.6 than a striker, I don’t know.’

Conclusion

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal or Chelsea will make an offer for Ivan Toney in January. However, with both clubs reportedly interested in signing him and Brentford open to selling him for the right price, it looks like it could be a busy transfer window for the 27-year-old striker.

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