‘Free’ Toney won’t rule out move as ban ends
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has not ruled out a big-money move to a leading club this month after completing his eight-month football ban.
Toney’s suspension for breaching Football Association gambling rules ended yesterday and he could return to action on Saturday in the Bees’ home Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
The 27-year-old, who scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last season before being suspended in May, has been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea.
He celebrated the end of his ban from football with a social media post declaring he was “free”.
When asked if this month was not the right time to leave Brentford, Toney told Sky Sports :“well id on’ t know, you can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere.
“It’ s obvious i’ d like to play for a top club, everybody wants to play for the top clubs, fighting for titles and these kinds of things.
“So whether it’ s this january
for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?
“But my main focus is doing what I do on the pitch and let the background work take care of itself.”
Toney made his England debut during a European Championship qualifying win against Ukraine last March and reiterated his desire to become his country’s leading striker. “To be the best you have to play with the best and competing against the best,” he said. “Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and he’ s been doing it for some years now, so if I want to be England’s number one I’ve got to compete against him.”