Huge Ivan Toney decision revealed as Arsenal and Chelsea battle for returning striker’s signature

Arsenal and Chelsea linked Brentford striker Ivan Toney
Arsenal are determined to sign a new striker in January and Mikel Arteta has made Brentford front man Ivan Toney one of his top targets, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.
We can confirm that Toney would prioritise a move to Arsenal above other choices despite Chelsea also strongly considering making a bid for him in the winter transfer window.
The 27-year-old is a few weeks away from returning to competitive football on the back of a suspension for breaching the Football Association’s betting regulations.
TEAMtalk understands that Real Madrid are also among the sides keeping tabs on Toney. They will soon complete the signing of the highly-rated Brazilian teenager Endrick from Palmeiras.
The Spanish giants are keen to build a new Galactico side fit for the future and added England midfielder Jude Bellingham to their ranks in recent months.
Brentford, however, have offered a new deal to Toney and hope to convince him that he doesn’t need to move on.
The England international will have one year left on his deal come the end of the season – his current contract is due to expire in 2025 – but Thomas Frank’s side are desperate to tie him down to fresh terms before then.
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Arteta keen on January move for Ivan Toney
TEAMtalk sources have stated that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Toney and that is reciprocated with the frontman keen to play under the Spaniard.
Arteta has turned Arsenal into title contenders over the past two seasons and currently has them sitting top of the Premier League.
The Gunners are heavily favoured to make it into the Champions League next season regardless of their title bid and that is another factor in the decision-making of Toney. He is keen to play in the biggest competitions and at the highest level possible.
The prolific striker has been rumoured to have a release clause in his current deal of around £60million but sources have denied that any clause exists in his current deal.
Any new deal that could be signed, however, would likely include a release clause and Brentford want at least £70million for his services.
Toney signed for Brentford in 2020 after showing his talent at Peterborough. The deal was done for below £5million, and any sale would see Frank and his side make a huge profit on their star man.
He scored an impressive 20 goals in the Premier League last season, with only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) scoring more.
If he could replicate that form for Arsenal, he could help fire the North Londoners to their first title since 2004.
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