Ivan Toney: Brentford Striker Hints Next Club After 8 Month Betting Ban

Ivan Toney: Brentford Striker Hints Next Club After 8 Month Betting Ban

Elijah Odetokun
updated at August 21, 2023 at 11:11 AM
In this article:
English Premier League logo
ENG Premier League
England
  • Ivan Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of betting rules
  • He was on the radar of many top English clubs but a summer move failed to materialise
  • Toney is expected to leave Brentford when his ban by the FA ends next year in January

Ivan Toney appears to have dropped a hint of his next club when he leaves Brentford at the end of his eight-month betting ban, which ends in the middle of the January transfer window.

The English Football Association banned Toney after he was found guilty of breaching 232 of the alleged 262 charges against him, including betting on his team to lose.

The ban doused all rumours linking him with a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium and the club was forced to find a replacement for him as he would not be available for most of the season.

Ivan Toney, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brentford, Liverpool, Anfield, Premier League.
Ivan Toney's last game fro Brentford was in the 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Photo by Mike Marese.
Source: Getty Images

Part of his suspension was a four-month training ban. This meant he would only return to training with the team in the middle of September, a decision criticised by the public.

Toney hints at next club

Toney continues to be linked with top English clubs despite his ban, with Chelsea particularly noted to be interested in a move as early as January, according to Caught Offside.

He has long been touted as an Arsenal fan when he was linked to the club last summer, but speaking on Diary of a CEO Podcast, he identified himself as a Liverpool fan, a club he won't turn down.

“The next club I go to if I was to move, [would] be the right club,” he said. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life, but from young, I’ve liked Arsenal, watching Arsenal, how they play and how passionate the fans are.”

He rejected the idea of being a backup at Anfield if he moves there, despite possible competition from Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo.

“I’m going to have to go to Liverpool! I’d make myself the main man,” he added.

Toney scored 20 Premier League goals last season and should not be short of suitors, but his condition when he returns to training next month will be a major concern.

Fans criticise Brentford's sponsor

Sports Brief also reported on fans criticising Brentford's shirt sponsor after their striker was banned over an activity promoted by the company on the front of the shirt.

The club's decision to retain Hollywoodbets as the main shirt sponsor was met with outrage by fans who accused the Bees of lack of support for the embattled star.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.