English Striker Ivan Toney Returns to Training at Brentford as Premier League Giants Eye January Move
Premier League striker Ivan Toney is set to make a return to normal training with his club, Brentford, as restrictions on his betting ban ease. Toney had been suspended for eight months after being found guilty of gambling on matches. However, the ruling now allows him to resume training with his teammates starting Sunday, September 17.
While Toney can participate in normal training sessions, he will still be unable to play in any matches until January. The center forward had been dealing with a hamstring issue earlier in the summer, and the Brentford medical staff will assess his condition and gradually reintegrate him into training. Given that his official return is not until 2024, there is no rush to bring him back too soon.
As Toney gears up for his comeback, several Premier League clubs have shown interest in a potential January move for the talented forward. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing the Brentford striker, despite his lack of game time since May. While targeting a player who hasn’t played in a while may seem risky, these clubs believe it’s a risk worth taking.
According to Football.London, Chelsea appears to be leading the race to secure Toney’s signature. Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino sees the Englishman as a perfect fit for his team. Although Nicolas Jackson has been leading Chelsea’s front line in their first four Premier League matches, the Senegal international has only managed to score one goal in five appearances.
Chelsea has been known to spend big in the transfer market, having splashed out almost $500 million on new players during the recent summer transfer period. This comes after the club’s ownership had already spent $650 million on transfers during the 2022/23 campaign.
However, both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping a close eye on Toney. This news should come as a positive development for Brentford, as a potential bidding war between the three clubs could work in their favor. Arsenal might consider Toney as an alternative to Eddie Nketiah, depending on the young striker’s performance in the early part of the season. Meanwhile, Spurs find themselves with a void in the number nine position following the departure of superstar Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.
With Toney’s return to training at Brentford and the prospect of a January move to a Premier League giant, it remains to be seen which club ultimately secures his services. For now, fans of both Brentford and the interested clubs will eagerly anticipate how this transfer saga unfolds.
