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<\/p>\nArsenal and Chelsea have been given the green light to launch a bid for Ivan Toney when the transfer window opens next month – but have been warned Brentford will only sell for the right price.<\/p>\n
Both clubs have been linked with a move for the Bees' frontman, who is set to return to football after an eight-month ban for betting offences which has kept him on the sidelines since May. Arsenal have worked their way to the top of the table but their lack of firepower in attack has been cited as one factor which could stop them winning the title. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile Chelsea's \u00a31billion spree has failed to reverse the club's current slump and the Blues are still without a recognised out-and-out goalscorer despite their remarkable splurge on new arrivals. Toney hit 20 goals in the Premier League last season and has already made it clear he would like to move on to a bigger club – but Brentford director Lee Dykes is looking to play hardball over any potential deal for a player he considers among the top five strikers in world football. <\/p>\n
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\u201cThere should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club," Dykes said. \u201cBut they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.<\/p>\n
"I am so excited for Ivan to come back because I see him out there in training and he is some player; it looks like he\u2019s never been away. There\u2019s a real ambition from him and I can see in his eyes that he\u2019s going to be better than he\u2019s ever been; I really believe that will be the case.<\/p>\n
"Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be. He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season – one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he\u2019s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion."<\/p>\n
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who should sign Ivan Toney? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. <\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n
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Toney is able to return to action on January 16, though despite Brentford standing by him during his ban, he could well have a new club before then if any potential suitors match the Bees' asking price when the transfer window opens on January 1.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old switched agents back in August in a hint that he could be preparing for a move elsewhere. If there were any doubts over his intentions, he made no secret of his desire to play at a bigger club when appearing on the Diary of a CEO podcast back in August,.<\/p>\n
"Everyone wants to play at the top of the tree," Toney said. "Not that Brentford aren't there, but everyone wants to play for these big clubs and compete for trophies. If a chance was to come along, I would be silly not to look into it.<\/p>\n
"The manager knows that I want to play at the highest level possible and whenever that time comes, so be it. My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career. The next club I go to will be the right club."<\/p>\n