Arsenal and Chelsea face difficult Ivan Toney decision as Brentford set stunning asking price

Arsenal and Chelsea face a difficult decision over the signing of Ivan Toney following reports of Brentford's latest asking price.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed last week that both London clubs have made enquiries into the 27-year-old with a view to signing him in January.

Toney hasn't kicked a ball in the Premier League since May after he pleaded guilty to 232 breaches of the Football Association’s rules on betting, meaning he is unable to represent Brentford until January 17, 2024.

But despite spending over £1billion since the arrival of Todd Boehly, the Blues are ready to ditch their strict under-25 transfer rule in order to sign the English striker, as they seek to break their curse in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to add a prolific No. 9 to his ranks in order to challenge for the Premier League title, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah wasteful in front of goal compared to Toney last season.

However, the Bees forward isn't expected to come cheap after Brentford slapped an £80 million price tag on their prized asset, according to the Evening Standard.

Toney will enter the final 18 months of his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium, but he recently signed with super-agent Jonathan Barnett, who helped facilitate Jack Grealish's £100 million move to Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank hopes to keep Toney until at least the end of the season, but admitted last week that he could be sold for “the right price”.

Frank said: “I think every club in the world is a selling club, except five or six clubs. We are a selling club, if the right price is there.

“If it’s the right time for the player to go, if they have developed well with us, been on the journey, and now they’re proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if it’s the right price.”

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