Transfer Centre

Arsenal, Chelsea to battle for Ivan Toney in January?

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 19 September 2023

Arsenal, Chelsea to battle for Toney in January?

Brentford's Ivan Toney is reportedly on the radar of both Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of his return from an eight-month suspension in January.

Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly joined the early race to sign Ivan Toney in January.

The Brentford striker is in the middle of serving an eight-month ban for breaches of the Football Association's betting regulations.

However, the suspension has seemingly not put off any potential suitors for Toney, who may well leave Brentford in the near future.

The 27-year-old will not play again until January, but he has returned to training this week, after that specific suspension was served.

The Mirror claims that Toney is set to leave during the winter transfer window, with the forward having just 18 months left on his contract at the club.

Thomas Frank and Ivan Toney celebrate Brentford's win over Manchester City on November 12, 2022. © Reuters

Therefore, the report states that Chelsea, Arsenal, and also Tottenham Hotspur, will be in the market for the player.

Manchester United's recent purchase of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta BC has seen them cool their interest, though.

Brentford are said to value Toney at £60m despite his contract situation, and that is seemingly not putting off any of the Premier League elite either.

Toney has scored 32 Premier League goals in two seasons at Brentford, as well as 33 in his one season in the Championship with the Bees in 2020-21.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football this week and spoke on the future of Toney.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match on May 14, 2023 © Reuters

Frank revealed Brentford would be open to selling Toney, only if their valuation is met though, admitting: "We are a selling club, if the right price is there."

The manager also alluded to the lucrative fees that have been spent on midfielders this year, claiming that strikers are the most valuable players in a team, therefore stating that he believes Toney to be in a price bracket potentially just as high.

Brentford have enjoyed success in Toney's absence though, despite a narrow defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday.

That was their first defeat in eight league games since Toney was suspended, as Brentford won all three without him last season, and also at Fulham on matchday two in August.

Bryan Mbeumo has stepped up in Toney's absence, with six goals and two assists in those eight matches, while Yoane Wissa has also performed stoutly, chipping in with four goals of his own.