Rio Ferdinand fires sharp two-word verdict on Arsenal transfer for Ivan Toney after £100m update

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has ruled out Arsenal sealing a transfer for in-demand Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Toney has been missing for eight months after being charged with gambling offences by the FA. However, the forward's ban is set to be lifted from January 17 onwards and he is expected to slot straight back into the Bees line-up.

Despite being absent for the back end of last season and the entirety of this campaign, Toney remains a player wanted by some of the top Premier League clubs to bolster their attacking options. One of the teams more prominently linked with his signature are the Gunners, who are in need of reinforcements in the forward lines.

However, speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand was adamant the 27-year-old will not be leaving Thomas Frank's team this month. He bluntly said: «No way. Toney don’t go to Arsenal. Brentford fan telling you. Facts.»

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This verdict is commonly held by Toney's manager Frank who has reportedly put a £100m price tag on his striker. He told members of the media recently: «He's a Brentford player, he's here. Clearly, we have missed a few offensive players and I can't see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time.»

As for Toney, he is focusing on getting out on the pitch and has shown he has not lost a step when he scored a hat-trick for Brentford's B side against Southampton U23s. «It's always unfinished business when you haven’t been playing for a while,» the former Newcastle man told the Daily Mirror.

«It's in your head. It’s like, I can't wait to get back and do what everybody's not expecting me to.

»I know that there are a lot of people