Ivan Toney makes fresh transfer admission as Chelsea prepare trump card over defeated Arsenal

Brentford striker Ivan Toney appears to have decided on his future this month as he speaks out on his post-ban intentions amid rife rumours linking him with a huge £100 million transfer to rivals Arsenal or Chelsea.

The Gunners and the Blues are in the market for a marksman to solve their problems in front of goal and the England international had been earmarked as the obvious option. Toney, who bagged 20 Premier League goals last season, is poised to return to football as his eight-month ban for gambling breaches comes to an end.

The Bees have had to make do without their star man and began the season strongly with Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wisa netting six goals between them in Thomas Frank's side's opening four top flight fixtures. Since then, the goals have dried up and the Brentford manager had shared his intentions to slot Toney straight back into action to help end a run of five straight league defeats.

Ivan Toney speaks out on Brentford future

Toney has now confronted rumours about his future, having previously shared his love for Arsenal and Liverpool while away from action. He told Sky Sports: "The club was right behind me from the first bit. The fans were behind me, which was a massive part. Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name. And I got loads of messages on social media. A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name, I got goosebumps to know that they're still behind me, even though I'm not there.

"Everyone knows Brentford is a family club, they have been nothing but amazing for me. I can't thank them enough, especially the fans. They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay. With Brentford, they're struggling at the moment but I'm sure when I'm back I will play a big part to get them out of the losing form they've been in. I can't wait to get back and be helping my team-mates.

"Everybody at Brentford knows I will do my best to try and get the club out of the sticky patch we're in. But there's no pressure and even if there was, I wouldn't feel it and that's what drives me forward. Brentford, we've been here before and we know how to get out of it."

The striker's determination to get going once again at the Gtech Community Stadium may not be the news that Arsenal and Chelsea fans wanted to hear as they long for a reliable goal source. However, Mauricio Pochettino's side may not be out of the running yet with a card still up their sleeve when it comes to negotiations with Brentford.

Chelsea could offer Brentford Toney transfer sweetener

While Brentford are not in a position to let their talisman leave, Chelsea could sweeten that blow by sending a forward the other way in a deal. Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed that Chelsea could offer up Armando Broja in a swap deal on his Substack.

The Albanian is believed to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge but is the type of player that could work well in Frank's Brentford system. Phillips said: “He would have to push for a move because Brentford are throwing around silly valuations at the moment. I get a feeling he would also need to drop on the signing-on fee because that’s been an issue. He’s open to Chelsea, but as we know, would also love to join Arsenal. “The trump card that Chelsea could play here, IF they decided they want to go for Toney if the need for a striker this month overpowers everything, is Armando Broja. I understand Brentford are one of the clubs interested in signing Broja.

“All the top outlets have suggested Broja would likely leave if Chelsea sign a new striker this window. Whether he would be interested in Brentford or not remains to be seen, but they are interested, so perhaps Chelsea could sweeten any deal that way.”

Defeated Mikel Arteta takes reality check on Ivan Toney

There seems to be less hope at the Emirates Stadium that a deal can still be done despite Toney's intention to stay. Mikel Arteta cut a defeated figure as he spoke following the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, with the Gunners failing to score in from of their home crowd.

When asked about a deal for a striker, Arteta said: "At the moment it doesn't look realistic. My job is to improve the players we have."

Arsenal could instead turn to an in-form Bundesliga striker Victor Boniface, who may be available for a fraction of the £100 million price tag on Toney's head. To add fuel to the fire, the player has this week shared that he is a Gunners fan.