Ivan Toney opens door to Brentford departure by admitting he wants to 'fight for titles at a top club' after serving ban

Ivan Toney has opened the door to a Brentford departure on the day that his eight-month ban comes to an end - by admitting he wants "to play for a top club".

The England international was suspended in April after admitting to 232 FA betting charges.

He could make his first team return as the Bees face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday evening, with Thomas Frank's side looking to end a run of five straight defeats in the top-flight.

However, the striker has conceded his future may lie away from the Gtech Stadium, because he's desperate to lift some silverware.

"You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere," he told Sky Sports, "but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club.

"Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?

"But my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself."

Arsenal, as well as Chelsea, have long been linked with making a move for Toney, who came through the youth system at Northampton Town, before signing for Newcastle in 2015.

He spent three years at St James' Park, before joining Peterborough, and it was at London Road that he started to make a name for himself.

After netting 49 goals in 94 appearances for the Posh, he was snapped up by Brentford in 2020, and scored in the 2021 Championship play-off final as the Bees were promoted to the Premier League for the first time.

England honours have since followed, although the striker has just one international cap to his name so far, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Ukraine in March 2023.

He remains desperate to pull on the Three Lions shirt again, and as he targets a place in the squad for Euro 2024, Toney is taking inspiration from Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.

"To be the best, you have to play with the best and compete against the best," he continued. "We all know Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and he's been doing it for some years now.

"If I want to be England's No 1, then I have to compete against him. He's not a bad striker to be taking tips off and be training with.

"I just have to keep scoring goals, keep playing well and then who knows what could happen? If I just fall short, then hopefully I can become the second best in the world."

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