Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Arsenal appear to have a clear path to signing Ivan Toney in January with Chelsea reportedly not shortlisting the Brentford striker at present. Toney could be the subject of a major winter transfer once he returns to competitive football.
The 27-year-old remains banned until January 16 after being found guilty of 232 breaches of the Football Association’s gambling rules. He has been playing in friendlies for Brentford’s B team to maintain his fitness.
Toney scored 21 goals for Brentford last season and might have moved on in the summer had an impending ban not loomed over his immediate future. He was suspended for eight months in May.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in completing a move for the former Newcastle star. And the path to a blockbuster transfer might have been cleared by Chelsea.
Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with strikers amid their struggle for goals over the last 18 months. The inconsistency of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah has often been the Gunners’ downfall in their hunt to topple Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been criticised for their failure to sign an elite No 9. Nicolas Jackson has scored just two Premier League goals this season following his £30m switch from Villarreal in the summer. Boss Mauricio Pochettino has few other options to play in the position.
“I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay. He is happy at the club,” Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said last week. “What happens in the future is impossible to guess about. He’s a top player, one of our most important players, if not the most important last year.
“Any player that can score 20-plus goals in the Premier League are very, very important. Ivan’s skillset in terms of finishing abilities with his left and right, heading and his composure in those moments and his link-up play and his presence, character, is a very good package.
“It’s not up to me to put a price tag on him, it’s down to the club. But I’m happy with him, I hope he plays here forever and I’m the coach.”
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