Brentford forward Ivan Toney’s eight month ban from football is now over and he is expected to be in the Bees’ squad for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Last season, Toney cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards and arguably became England’s second choice forward behind Harry Kane.
His record of 32 goals in 66 top flight appearances across the last two seasons means his record for Brentford stands at just shy of a goal every other Premier League game.
In his absence, Brentford have been in a steady decline from their two impressive mid-table finishes in the last two seasons and after five successive defeats they sit just three points above the relegation zone.
The Bees desperately need the 27-year-old to not only stay in West London this month but rediscover the form that has made him one of the most highly sought after forwards in the country.
Toney marked his ban coming to an end with a simple message on X, celebrating being ‘free’ from his suspension.
But with links to moves to some of the biggest clubs in the country, the question remains whether he will remain at the Gtech Community Stadium or move on to pastures new.
As such, Dexerto Sport has looked at five possible transfer options facing the England international this month.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s Premier League title bid has stalled in recent weeks and their goals have dried up. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s ability to score the goals to fire them to the title has been questioned as a result.
It’s no surprise then to see Toney, who has admitted his fondness for the Gunners, heavily linked with a move to North London as Mikel Arteta looks to go one better than last season’s second placed finish.
Speaking to talkSPORT bet, Ally McCoist has urged Arsenal to ‘break the bank’ to sign Toney, while Gunners legend Ray Parlour has also urged his former side to sign him although he isn’t confident a deal could get done this month.
10:40 onwards McCoist discusses Toney to Arsenal
“Arsenal need a central striker,” he told NetBet Online Casino. “Ivan Toney has been talked about and he has done well for Brentford in the Premier League – he’d be a great addition for Arsenal.
“I think he would be too much money and that Brentford will want to keep him this month to avoid relegation this season.
“I would look to wait until the summer. Toney fits the Arsenal way of playing, so he will want to repay the faith at Brentford and then review options in the summer. Toney would be on the top of the list come the end of the season.
“I would go as far as if Arsenal get the right number 9 in their side, then they can win the Premier League next season.”
Chelsea
Chelsea have spent a lot of money across the last two seasons but still lack a prolific goalscorer up front.
The Blues have struggled under Todd Boehly’s ownership to reach their former heights but former defender Wayne Bridge believes signing Toney could hold the key to doing so.
“Chelsea need a striker, which is crazy when you look at the money that they’ve spent,” Bridge told BetVictor.
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“I like Ivan Toney a lot. He’s aggressive and clinical, but he’s obviously had a lot of time out with his ban. If Ivan Toney can get back his match fitness and score a few goals for Brentford for the rest of the season then he could be a great signing for Chelsea in the summer.
“He’s a great player but he’s had a lot of time out. You’d need to see him get back to playing and being sharp before spending big money on him. Once he’s done that then he’d definitely be a striker I’d be looking at in the summer.”
— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) January 17, 2024
Manchester United
Back in November it was claimed the Red Devils would target an experienced forward in January to ease the burden on young star Rasmus Hojlund.
The report from Mail Online also suggested they were monitoring Toney’s situation, while also linking United with moves for Porto’s Mehdi Taremi and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Newcastle United
It is often forgotten that Toney actually made his Premier League debut for Newcastle in September 2015 when the Magpies were managed by Steve McClaren.
Toney was never really handed an opportunity on Tyneside once Rafa Benitez succeeded McClaren and he is now looked at as ‘one who got away’ by Newcastle fans.
There would be a sense of unfinished business on both sides and it is a move Magpies legend Alan Shearer would relish.
“I would [try and sign him] if I was in charge of the recruitment at Newcastle,” Shearer told the Rest is Football podcast.
“I think he is a really good player and a really good option and Newcastle need to improve in that department. They need another body in there and I don’t think there will be a shortage of takers for Ivan Toney.”
Stay at Brentford
Toney, of course, could stay at Brentford and repay their faith in him by sticking by him during his time away from the sport.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Toney admitted he feels he has a debt to repay to the club, as he said: “Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for. The whole club has.
“From putting extra sessions on for me, from taking their time out to put a session on, to go outside when it’s raining, when they’re not even supposed to be in, all these kinds of things.
“I have a lot to be paying them and I can’t wait to try and do that. As a whole, everybody knows Brentford’s a family club, they’ve been nothing but amazing to me throughout the whole situation. I can’t thank them enough, especially the fans.
“They were behind me from the first minute as well. I have a lot to repay.”
That being said, every player has his price and Frank has already admitted as much.
“I think every club in the world is a selling club apart from five or six clubs. We are a selling club if the right price is there,” Frank admitted on Monday Night Football.
“I think it’s the right timing for the player to go, that is not my decision in the end. Yes, it does apply to him too (Toney), I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there, for me, as a striker and a number nine, I don’t see many others better than him in the world.”