Ivan Toney has told Brentford he wants to leave in the January transfer window amid Arsenal interest, according to a report.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford looks on during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Fraser Fletcher reports for TEAMtalk that Ivan Toney has personally told Brentford that he wants to leave the club in the winter transfer window, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested in him.

The two big-six clubs are “firmly in the race for Toney” according to the report, though Manchester United are set to look elsewhere after being put off by the price tag.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank had previously suggested that he expected Toney to want to stay, speaking over the weekend.

“I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay,” Frank said. “He is happy at the club. 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 (foot), 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.”

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Before that, Sky Sports had reported that Brentford value Ivan Toney at £100m, and they intend to keep him at least until the end of the season.

The club supposedly responded derisively to claims that £50-60m would be enough to let the player go, and you’d think a £100m valuation would make the transfer less appealing to Arsenal.

But despite his manager’s insistence otherwise, Toney is seemingly keen on a move to Arsenal in January, when his suspension from football is up.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after VAR decided his equalising goal should stand during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on February 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after VAR decided his equalising goal should stand during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on February 11, 2023. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Toney is currently suspended from football due to breaching FA rules on gambling, but he’s back in training, and he’ll be able to play again in January.

The striker switched agency to join CAA Stellar Group earlier this year, in another sign that he’s chasing a transfer.

Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games for Brentford last season, before his ban.