Ivan Toney is preparing for a significant return to football after completing an eight-month suspension for gambling offenses. The Brentford striker, absent from play since mid-May, pleaded guilty to 232 gambling-related counts and was suspended by the NFL. His suspension concludes this month, and he plans to make a comeback in Brentford’s match against Nottingham Forest on January 20.
Despite the ban, speculation surrounds Toney’s future destination on the football pitch. As the third-highest scorer in the Premier League last season, trailing Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, he has garnered interest. Brentford, anticipating fierce competition, has set a £100 million price tag on him, attracting attention from clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, both in search of a prolific striker.
While Arsenal showcased struggles in the recent FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool, where they lost 2-0, the spotlight remains on Toney. In his first post-suspension interview with Sky Sports and the Mirror, he suggested that a transfer this month is unlikely. Toney expressed gratitude to the fans and committed to staying in west London until the end of the season, leaving the future beyond that uncertain.
