Arsenal Ready To Break The Bank To Sign Ivan Toney

Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs expected to test Brentford’s resolve in keeping forward Ivan Toney during the January transfer window, sources have told ESPN.

The 27-year-old is currently serving an eight-month ban from football after admitting 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.

Toney cannot play again until Jan. 16 next year and was fined £50,000 ($60,900) but that has not deterred potential new clubs from launching a mid-season move.

Brentford are reluctant to lose Toney but the striker fuelled speculation over a transfer by revealing his admiration for Arsenal in an interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast last month.

“The next club I go to, if I was to move, would be the right club,” he said. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life… But from young, I’ve liked Arsenal.

“I’ve liked watching Arsenal and how they play and how passionate their fans are. I’m a Liverpool boy at heart.”