10 months ago
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Ivan Toney has put Arsenal and Chelsea on red alert after he refused to rule out a move away from Brentford in January.
The 27-year-old is free to continue playing again having now served his eight-month ban after breaching FA betting rules.
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After banging in 20 Premier League goals last term, Toney was being tipped for a possible transfer in the winter window.
London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are known to be interested in the one-cap England international.
But Toney recently appeared to shut down any talk he would be leaving this month having insisted he wanted to repay the Bees' faith and support in him.
However, Toney has now suggested he would be open to a January departure after reiterating his desire to join a title-challenging side.
In a bombshell interview with Sky Sports, the ex-Newcastle striker said: "You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere.
"But I think it's obvious I would like to play for a top club - everybody wants to play for top clubs that are fighting for titles.
"Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?
"But my main focus is doing what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself."
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"It's obvious I want to play for a top club, if a club was to pay the right money then who knows" 🔉
Brentford striker Ivan Toney on the speculation around his future at the club 🔴 pic.twitter.com/9ljSkkde1I
talkSPORT understands that Brentford would demand at least £80million to even entertain the idea of parting ways with Toney.
Earlier this month, boss Thomas Frank delivered a blunt response regarding Toney's future as he insisted he cannot understand why the club would sell him.
Rio Ferdinand urges Arsenal to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak over Brentford's Ivan Toney
Brentford are currently without star forwards Bryan Mbeumo through injury, and Yoane Wissa due to his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Asked about how much a suitor would need to stump up for Toney, Frank remarked: "It would need to be unbelievable, so he will stay here."
He added: "I don’t think I’ve had one press conference where I haven’t been talking about Ivan Toney in the last year.
"So yes you’re more than welcome to talk about Ivan, he’s a fantastic person and a fantastic player.
“He’s a Brentford player, he’s here, clearly we miss a few offensive players so I can’t see why we would sell him and I’d love to have him here for a longer time.”
