LONDON (Reuters) – Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker, revealed on Wednesday that he feels “free” after serving an eight-month suspension for breaking betting rules on 232 occasions. He then added fuel to the speculation around his future by expressing his desire to play for a top-tier club.
As the top scorer for Brentford in the previous season, the 27-year-old England international shared a GIF with the word “free” on social media.
Speaking to Sky Sports TV, Toney discussed his aspirations for the future.
“You can never predict the right time to move to a different club, but it’s clear that I want to play for a top club,” said Toney, who is rumored to be a target for Arsenal and Chelsea.
“Everyone wants to play for a top club that is competing for titles. Whether it’s this January or not, who knows when the right time for a club to come in and pay the right amount of money is?,” he added.
Toney’s recent comments contrasted with an interview from last week in which he expressed his gratitude towards Brentford, a club deeply rooted in its community and holding its own against Premier League powerhouses. He also mentioned being prepared to repay them with goals to help in their fight against relegation.
The team from West London currently sits in 16th place in the league, only three points above the relegation zone, and they are in need of more offensive power as they grapple with absences and injuries.
Toney, who is aiming to secure a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad, emphasized that his primary focus would be to let his performance on the field speak for itself and to allow the speculation around his future to resolve in the background.
“To be the best, you have to play with the best and compete against the best,” said Toney, who is anticipated to make his return against Nottingham Forest in front of the home fans on Saturday.
“I feel like a free man. A massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t wait to get back to enjoying playing football again this Saturday. It’s a big day today but an even bigger day on Saturday,” he expressed.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)
