'Who knows?' - Big-money Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target drops major hint on potential move

Today is the day that Brentford fans and Ivan Toney have been waiting for - the former Newcastle United academy graduate is free to play professional football once again, after his footballing ban for breaching betting regulations has finally expired.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Toney said he feels like a 'free man' in the interview - however, Arsenal and Chelsea supporters will be interested to know that he spoke in a manner that seems to indicate he will be staying with the Bees for now, as opposed to make the jump across London. While he has been extensively linked with both clubs, it seems a transfer will not be taking place any time soon - but anything is possible.

Brentford will take on Nottingham Forest in Toney's return game - it will be his first competitive fixture in the Premier League since Brentford played Liverpool back in May of last year.

What did Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Ivan Toney say in the interview?

Speaking to Sky Sports in an interview published on X (formerly Twitter), Toney said: "Yeah, I feel like a free man! [It feels like] a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I just can't wait to get back to playing football this Saturday. It'll be good - it's a big day today, but it's an even bigger day on Saturday.

"Every Saturday, my family travels down to watch me play football and missing that for eight months is painful - painful for me knowing I've ruined their weekend. But I can't wait to repay them in the next game and pick up where I left off.

"Certain things happen in life - you take it on the chin and move forward. But there are obviously other good players in the [Brentford] team and they all have a role to do and to step in when needed. Obviously I do feel kind of bad, but it is what it is - I can't dwell on it too much. I can't change it, what's done is done."

Discussing his future amid heavy transfer speculation, Toney said: "You can never predict when's the right time to move elsewhere, but it's obvious I'd like to play for a top club - everybody wants to play for the top clubs, fighting for titles and these kinda things.

"So whether it's this January, a club were to come in and pay the right money, who knows? But my main focus is doing what I do on the pitch and let the background work take care of itself."