Ivan Toney has commented on the current transfer speculation surrounding him in a new exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
The Brentford striker has been serving an eight-month ban since the middle of May after being found guilty of 232 betting charges.
Prior to the lengthy ban, Toney was one of the hottest properties in English football after scoring 20 Premier League goals and assisting four times in the 2022/23 season.
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He also made his debut for England this year after being controversially left out of the side for the 2022 World Cup, with Southgate opting for Newcastle's Callum Wilson as back-up for Harry Kane.
Brentford's main man will be eligible to return to the squad for the first time against Nottingham Forest on the 20th of January but it is unclear if the striker will be thrown straight in from the start.
There has been constant transfer speculation surrounding Toney despite his situation and a big-money move in this window seemed something of an inevitability, with the big clubs continuing to sniff around.
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Both Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly in the market for a striker this January and Toney would tick a lot of boxes given his proven Premier League pedigree.
The 27-year-old has previously made no secret of his desire to play for a top team but, in his latest interview with Sky, he appears to have performed a slight u-turn.
Toney has claimed he wants to repay Brentford for the support they have given him throughout his footballing ban by sticking with the club and helping them stay in the Premier League.
"The club was right behind me from the first bit. The fans were behind me, which was a massive part," Toney said in the interview.
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"Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name. And I got loads of messages on social media.
"A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name, I got goosebumps to know that they're still behind me, even though I'm not there.
"Everyone knows Brentford is a family club, they have been nothing but amazing for me. I can't thank them enough, especially the fans.
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"They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay," Toney added.
Brentford currently sit 16th in the Premier League and have lost seven of their last eight, with their only win in that period coming against Luton Town.
Despite a respectable enough start to the season, Brentford are only four points off the relegation zone after a slip down the league table and injury to Bryan Mbeumo along with Yoane Wissa being called up to AFCON has compounded their woes.
Given the situation they currently find themselves in, Thomas Frank will be desperate for Toney to keep his word and get straight back to where he left off last season.
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports, GettyTopics: Ivan Toney, Brentford, Premier League, Football, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Arsenal, Transfers