Ivan Toney, a striker for Brentford, has been strongly linked to moves to Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham in January.
Ivan Toney, a star player for Brentford, may have been given an easy route to Arsenal in the January transfer window. Toney’s contract was expected to be contested by Chelsea and Tottenham in the upcoming season, but a recent development may have provided Mikel Arteta with significant motivation to finalize a deal for the 27-year-old.
Toney, who is planning a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium, recently changed agents, even though Brentford manager Thomas Frank stated the England international is “happy” to remain with the team. The Bees are reportedly willing to pay an incredible £100 million for Toney, which is little less than what Arsenal spent for Declan Rice (£105 million) and Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez (£106.7 million). This information is based on Sky Sports News.
The England international is nearing the end of his contract at Gtech Community Stadium after a fantastic 2022–2023 season in which he scored 20 goals in the Premier League for the Bees. After being found guilty of 232 violations of the Football Association’s gambling regulations, Toney is still suspended until January 16. However, in order to stay in shape, he has been participating in friendlies for Brentford’s B squad.
David Ornstein reports that Toney is not currently on Chelsea’s shortlist of potential January transfer targets. Speaking to NBC, Ornstein noted that Toney does not fit the Blues’ typical target profile of possible recruits due to his age.
James Maddison is not eligible to be signed by Chelsea under their ’25 and under’ transfer policy, therefore the club decided not to try to sign him in the summer. This gave Tottenham the opportunity to acquire the 26-year-old midfielder for £40 million. With the Blues considering Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko as backup options, it now seems that Arsenal may have the advantage over their London rivals in a deal for Toney, as Ornstein mentioned in his NBC interview.
The journalist for The Athletic continued: “At this point, it appears less likely that he will relocate in January. Perhaps in the summertime.
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