Brentford provide fresh update on Chelsea and Arsenal linked attacker amid £80m battle for finisher

Brentford manager Thomas Frank says it is refreshing to finally be able to have Ivan Toney back to training ahead of his return on Monday. The English striker can't play until next January but at least he is allowed to get back to working at his club in his journey to return.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with the striker and LondonWorld sources say the Blues are working behind the scenes to get a deal while Arsenal have been mentioned to be interested too.

Brentford have shown little signs of struggle since Toney’s ban and they continue to punch above their weight in the Premier League, but manager Thomas Frank says he can’t wait for this phase to be over.

The Brentford manager said on Thursday; “It’s very good to have him back, he’s a very good player but more importantly a person to have around the group. I’m pretty sure he’s also very happy to be allowed back in to play football and to be around his teammates that he loves to be around.

Determined not to get involved in talks of him signing for a new agent and telling close friends he was looking to take his career to the next level by looking to sign for a new club, Frank decided to focus on the positives by highlighting how much a lift it will be to having him back as soon as possible.

He added: “He’s vibrant, definitely, and he’ll give us a lift. We’d prefer to have him in the team, but that’s not possible. I’m proud of Ivan.

“Playing in the lower leagues and constantly getting higher and higher, scoring 31 goals in the Championship, 12 in his first [Premier League] season and then 20, with not even playing 38 games. It’s remarkable.”

Chelsea have spent almost £1billion on player transfer since they changed owners but there is a feeling that they need a new forward and the 27-year-old English man could be the final jigsaw to the puzzle at Stamford bridge while Arsenal have been long-term admirers.