Transfer Rumors: Arsenal and Chelsea Face £100m Price Tag for Toney

Ivan Toney, who is attracting interest from several top clubs in Europe and the Premier League, including Chelsea and Arsenal, is set to complete his eight-month ban for betting offences on January 16. This timing has led to increased speculation about a potential move to a larger club.

However, sources suggest that Brentford would require a significant offer during the final 16 days of the transfer window to consider selling Toney. Reports of a £50m-£60m price tag for the player have been met with skepticism within the club's boardroom.

Manager Thomas Frank previously expressed his belief that Ivan Toney is worth £100m, and Brentford could make a strong case for that valuation, particularly if Chelsea show interest in the player.

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Frank argued, "What would you pay for a striker that guarantees you 20-plus goals? And this is 20 goals for a mid-table club. What can he do in a bigger club?"

Given that Chelsea was willing to spend over £100m on midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, it would be difficult to argue for anything less than that figure for a proven Premier League goalscorer like Toney, who finished third in the scoring charts with 20 goals last season.

The comparison to Harry Kane is valid, as he left Tottenham for Bayern Munich for a fee exceeding £100m despite having just a year left on his contract. In contrast, Toney will still have 18 months remaining on his contract in January and is three years younger than Kane at 27.

Furthermore, Toney is expected to be a contender for a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate. It is worth noting that there is a limited supply of English strikers available for sale, with Ollie Watkins recently signing a new four-year contract, effectively removing him from the market. These factors contribute to the argument that Toney's value and potential are significant.

Ivan Toney's value to Brentford extends beyond his potential transfer fee. With the impending departures of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Toney's presence becomes even more crucial for the team's season.

Their temporary absences would leave Toney and Neal Maupay as the only recognized strikers in the squad, especially with Kevin Schade sidelined due to a long-term injury. This underlines the importance of retaining Toney as a key player to ensure Brentford's attacking options remain strong during this period.

Arsenal has shown unwavering support for Toney and his family since his admission to 232 FA betting charges. They have taken various measures to ensure his return and impact, including organizing behind-closed-doors friendlies to maintain his fitness and covering his contract in full.

Toney may feel a sense of gratitude and loyalty towards Arsenal and may consider staying until the end of the season to repay their faith. However, it remains uncertain if Arsenal can gather the necessary funds to acquire a striker in the January transfer window. It is worth noting that Arsenal currently have Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on loan with an option for a permanent transfer.

While Chelsea has expressed interest in Toney, they are exploring several options for a new striker as they have struggled for goals this season. With Nicholas Jackson adapting to a centre-forward role and Armando Broja recovering from a long-term injury, Toney is among the players Chelsea is considering.

Brentford's ability to adapt in Ivan Toney's absence has been impressive, as demonstrated by their recent victory at Stamford Bridge, lifting them above Chelsea and into the 10th position in the league table.

During Toney's absence, Bryan Mbuemo has stepped up and scored his eighth goal of the season in that game. Other key players, including Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva, Keane Lewis-Potter, Kevin Schade, and Shandon Baptiste, have also faced injuries, but the team has managed to perform well despite these setbacks.

Brentford is eagerly anticipating the return of these players, particularly Toney, and they believe that with their full squad available, they can achieve further success this season. Toney's impact could potentially help them secure another top-half finish in the Premier League.

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