Arsenal and Chelsea handed Ivan Toney transfer boost after new admission

Ivan Toney has not ruled out an exit from Brentford this month amid ongoing transfer links to both Arsenal and Chelsea.

The prolific England striker is expected to make his long-awaited return to competitive football following an eight-month FA betting ban this weekend when Thomas Frank's struggling side host Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Despite having not played at all yet this season due to that aforementioned long suspension, Toney has been among the most frequently cited names in the January transfer window to date as his future in west London remains uncertain.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both known to have a strong interest in the 27-year-old as they each search for more firepower up front.

However, it seemed likely that any deal for Toney would likely have to be struck in the summer transfer window, with both main suitors for his signature having little room to manoeuvre in January without player sales as they bid to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Brentford are said to want between £80million-£100m for Toney, who will have a crucial role to play over the coming weeks as the Bees look to bounce back from a dire run that has seen them win just once across all competitions since the start of November and drop to just three points above the top-flight relegation zone in 16th.

And while Toney has previously spoken of his desire to repay the faith and support shown in him by Brentford during his lengthy ban, he has now reiterated his desire to play for a "top club" and win trophies - even not ruling out an exit in the current market.

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"You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club," he told Sky Sports.

"Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?

"But my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself."