Are you watching Arsenal and Chelsea? Toney is back with a BANG

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jan 2024 18:33 GMT
• 3 min read

Ivan Toney marked his return to action in style.

The Brentford captain played his first game back following his months-long gambling ban against Nottingham Forest and only needed 19 minutes to find the back of the net, directly converting a free kick by curling the ball around a poorly placed wall.

It was a goal, albeit one made quite easy by the opposition, that will have reaffirmed Toney's standing as one of the Premier League's best strikers. The Brentford hitman is simply deadly in front of goal and it is unsurprising that Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with him.

Whether a move will ultimately materialise this month remains to be seen, though time is running out. Should a team actually pay Chelsea's ridiculous asking price for Armando Broja, the Blues could yet pursue a deal. Similarly, if a club were to show themselves willing to make a substantial offer for Eddie Nketiah, the Gunners could be tempted.

Toney wants move

As things stand, however, the prospects of a January transfer are looking slim indeed, no matter how much Toney himself reiterates that he wants to play for a 'top club.' Over the past week, he has mentioned his desire to play for an elite club and his willingness to move this month twice while speaking to the media.

The problem is that no club can really afford him this month, and Brentford naturally don't want to lose their star man. Even Liverpool, who were recently urged to sign Toney by a former player, likely don't have the funds to make a move.

Looking at it from a different perspective, this is brilliant news for the Bees. Thomas Frank's side are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone and with Bryan Mbeumo injured and Yoanne Wissa and Saman Ghoddos away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup, respectively, the return of Ivan Toney could save Brentford's season.