Arsenal and Chelsea told exactly how much it will cost to land big-money striker target

Brentford’s Ivan Toney has long been of transfer interest to a host of top-tier sides, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and the Bees appear to have remained firm on their valuation of the six-time England international.

No moves have yet been made and if one is not made soon, the Bees could risk losing their most valuable player for nothing next summer. The 28-year-old, whose contract runs out at the end of the 2024/25 season, has no apparent interest in signing a new deal with the Gtech Community Stadium club, putting him in a distinctive position due to the premium on forwards.

Brentford have been reluctant to give up on the ex-Newcastle United youngster easily but are now reportedly holding out for at least £60 million, according to the Independent. Thomas Frank’s side had hoped to receive £100m but dropped the price from January as it emerged this was too unattainable a goal.

Arsenal had been viewed as the most likely buyers of Toney - who scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances in the 2022/23 campaign. They were, however, put off by such a high valuation of the England international and while they are said to have considered pursuing a deal this summer transfer window, Mikel Arteta’s side moved on to other options.

The Emirates Stadium side have since viewed options such as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, as well as Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, but as yet no definitive decision or signing has been made. With two weeks left until the summer transfer window closes, it would so far appear as if Arsenal’s number one transfer priority will not be completed.

Arsenal’s interest in other stars has subsequently left the door open for other clubs to chase the former Peterborough United striker, but patience appears to remain key.

Chelsea were named as another club that would be ideal for the ex-EFL star but were similarly put off by Brentford’s demands. The Blues are currently engaged in a long and drawn out negotiation with Napoli over Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian is said to be refusing to lower his demands of €12m a year, meaning Chelsea could well be once again on the hunt for a new goalscorer ahead of the transfer window closing at the end of August.

With Brentford having already dropped their price by £40m, the reports from the Independent indicate that if the hopeful clubs continue to sit patiently in the shadows, the Bees’ position on their talisman could continue to be weakened as they fear losing him for free next year, or for an even lower fee in the January transfer window.