Arsenal, Chelsea-linked Ivan Toney confirms desire to play for "top club"

The 27-year-old's eight-month suspension for breaching Football Association betting regulations has now officially come to an end, with the striker set to be involved in Brentford's Premier League contest with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Toney scored 21 goals and registered five assists in 35 appearances at club level last season, but he has not played a competitive match since May 6 due to his suspension.

There has been widespread speculation surrounding his future over the last few weeks, with both Arsenal and Chelsea believed to be keen to sign him during the January window.

Speaking ahead of his return to the field, Toney has refused to rule out a winter exit, although it is highly unlikely that Brentford will let him leave at this stage of the season.

«You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club,» Toney told Sky Sports News.

«Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows? But my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself.

»To be the best, you have to play with the best and compete against the best. We all know Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and he's been doing it for some years now.

«If I want to be England's number one, then I have to compete against him. He's not a bad striker to be taking tips off and be training with.

»I just have to keep scoring goals, keep playing well