Amid speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, Brentford’s Ivan Toney has made a clear statement about his immediate future, indicating a strong desire to stay with his current club.
This comes as Toney prepares to return to football after an eight-month suspension.
Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker, has hinted at his immediate future amid links to Arsenal, expressing a strong inclination to continue with Brentford for the rest of the season.
This declaration comes as Toney is set to return to the field after an eight-month suspension, sparking interest from major Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
Toney, who was suspended last May due to illicit betting, is scheduled to play again in Brentford’s upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on January 20.
Despite the attention from Arsenal and Chelsea, Toney’s loyalty, currently, lies with Brentford.
“Everyone knows that Brentford is a family club, they have been simply extraordinary with me,” Toney told Sky Sports. He emphasised his gratitude towards the club and its supporters, saying, “I can’t thank them enough, especially the supporters. They supported me from the first minute. It’s a bit like I have a lot to give back.”
The 27-year-old striker’s commitment to Brentford is a blow to Arsenal fans, especially considering his impressive record of 20 goals in 33 league games in the 2022-2023 season and the Gunners’ problems in front of goal.
His return is, however, excellent news for Brentford, currently 15th in the Premier League, and for head coach Frank Lucas.
Toney is determined to help the team recover from its current position, stating, “When I come back, I will have a big role to play in getting the team out of its bad streak.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s interest in Toney comes amidst financial constraints making a January move problematic regardless.
According to James Olley of ESPN, Arsenal have limited funds available for the January transfer window, aiming to stay within UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.
The club would like to sign Toney, but his estimated cost of around £80 million this month is likely beyond their current budget.
As reported by John Cross of the Mirror, Arsenal’s focus is on a loan deal for a defender, with no room for significant January deals unless they sell players like Emile Smith Rowe or Eddie Nketiah.
Despite the interest from Arsenal, Toney’s statement and commitment to Brentford make a transfer in this window unlikely.
His return to the pitch is highly anticipated, and he is poised to play a vital role in Brentford’s upcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester City, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, West Ham, Chelsea, Burnley, Manchester United, Brighton, and Aston Villa.
For Arsenal, their pursuit of a new striker might have to wait until the summer, depending on their financial situation and Toney’s status with Brentford.