Ivan Toney appears set to leave Brentford in January (Picture: Getty)
Brentford are hoping to spark a bidding war between Chelsea and Arsenal for Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting regulations but will be eligible to make his competitive return come the New Year.
According to the Evening Standard, the Bees are ready to sanction the sale of their prize asset, and will seek to rake in at least £80million for a player who had forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s England reckoning prior to his suspension.
Arsenal have made an indifferent start to the new season, having dropped four points at home already and appear to be lacking a clinical edge up front.
Both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus missed gilt-edged opportunities during Sunday’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the north London derby.
‘You’ve got to have a couple of players in your team, at least one, who have that smell of where the ball is going to land,’ Gary Neville said on his podcast following the Spurs stalemate.
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‘Not a poacher, the days of poachers are gone that just play off another striker and two up top. We’re not in that moment anymore.
‘I really like this Arsenal team and they could go on to win a title or finish second, have a great season and win trophies without that type of player, but it became obvious in this game that it was missing.’
Chelsea, meanwhile, are languishing in 14th place following a third defeat in six matches at the start of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign.
Despite investing over £500m in the summer on new players, Chelsea failed to sign a recognised striker and are currently reliant on Nicolas Jackson, already suspended after picking up a fifth booking of the season against Aston Villa, and Armando Broja who has only just returned to full fitness.
MORE : Brentford boss Thomas Frank responds to Arsenal transfer link with Ivan Toney
MORE : Why Chelsea decided against signing Arsenal star Declan Rice this summer
MORE : Jermaine Jenas apologises after calling referee a ‘s***house’ during Arsenal vs Tottenham
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