21 August 2023 , 09:27
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Ivan Toney has hinted that Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are teams which he'd be interested in joining once he returns from his eight-month betting ban.
Toney, 27, is suspended from playing football until January of next year after admitting to 232 breaches of the FA's gambling rules. The striker remains under contract with current club Brentford, although there's been continued speculation that the Bees could face a fight to keep him in 2024.
Having been called up to the England squad during an impressive campaign last season, in which he scored 20 Premier League goals, big clubs have been tipped to make an attempt to sign Toney during the January transfer window. The 27-year-old admits that he'd be "silly" to ignore the interest, naming three clubs which could well take his fancy.
"Everyone wants to play at the top of the tree," Toney told the Diary of a CEO podcast. "Not that Brentford aren't there, but everyone wants to play for these big clubs and compete for trophies.
"If a chance was to come along, I would be silly not to look into it. The manager knows that I want to play at the highest level possible and whenever that time comes, so be it. My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career.
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"The next club I go to will be the right club. I am a Liverpool fan my whole life. I have liked Arsenal from young, how they play and how passionate their fans are. But I'm a Liverpool boy, Liverpool fan at heart... I liked [Dimitar] Berbatov. I liked watching United a lot when Berbatov was there, too."
Have your say! Who should sign Ivan Toney once he returns? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
Ivan Toney won't be able to play until 2024 (Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)Arsenal legend Paul Merson wants his old club to sign Toney once he's available to play again, telling Sky Sports: "I don't see too much difference between him and Jesus, I don't, but if I was Arsenal, I would take him. I would take him. He suits Arsenal down to the ground. Sometimes you cannot go long with Jesus, but you can go long with Toney.
"He is good in the air. He has got a very good brain, Toney. He can see a picture. He is not Harry Kane, but he can do a Harry Kane job where he can come off the centre-halves and he can pass through and he can find a pass and he is tidy."
Ex-Chelsea and Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has also backed the former Newcastle, Peterborough and Northampton star for a transfer to one of the so-called 'Big Six', writing in his Times column: "Toney's subtlety complements his stature and finishing. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United should all consider a move."