Will Ivan Toney join Arsenal or Chelsea in January? Transfer status, betting ban, Brentford contract explained

There are usually enough good arguments for buying and selling clubs not to do big business during the January transfer window.

For clubs selling a major asset, would the money coming in mitigate losing a key player midway through the season when it’s unlikely those funds would be able to be immediately and effectively reinvested into the squad?

As such, buying clubs can expect to be presented with a hefty premium to the extent that it can make more sense to walk away and wait until there are more favourable market conditions in the summer.

However, sometimes a situation arises that appears to make sense for all parties. Next month, Brentford expect Ivan Toney to be the subject of interest from Premier League rivals. The 27-year-old striker would clearly fill a major area of need for two other London clubs.

 Ivan Toney betting ban: Details of FA rules breaches that led to eight-month suspension for Brentford striker

Toney has not played for Brentford this season as he is coming to the end of an eight-month ban for breaching Football Association betting rules. His suspension concludes on January 17, 2024.

Brentford technical director Lee Dykes told his club’s official website: “I am so excited for Ivan to come back because I see him out there in training and he is some player; it looks like he’s never been away.

“There’s a real ambition from him and I can see in his eyes that he’s going to be better than he’s ever been; I really believe that will be the case. Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be.

“He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season - one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in