Ivan Toney’s time at Brentford appears to be nearing its end, with multiple sources confirming the striker is expected to leave the West London club during the upcoming summer transfer window. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the situation closely as they seek to bolster their attacking options for the 2025–26 season.

A Proven Premier League Goalscorer

Toney, 29, has been a consistent performer since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League. Known for his physicality, aerial dominance, and penalty precision, he has attracted interest from top-tier clubs thanks to his ability to lead the line and deliver goals under pressure.

Despite serving a suspension earlier in his career for betting violations, Toney has returned with form and focus. With one year left on his contract, this summer represents Brentford’s last opportunity to secure a significant transfer fee.

Arsenal and Chelsea in the Mix

Arsenal:

Mikel Arteta is reportedly a long-time admirer of Toney’s profile. With questions lingering over Gabriel Jesus’s injury record and Kai Havertz’s natural role, Toney could offer Arsenal a more traditional No. 9 — something they’ve lacked in recent title runs.

Chelsea:

Chelsea’s ongoing search for a clinical striker has been well-documented. Nicolas Jackson has shown flashes, but inconsistency in front of goal has cost the Blues points. Toney would offer Premier League experience, leadership, and reliability, potentially becoming a focal point in Mauricio Pochettino’s evolving system — if Pochettino remains in charge.

Brentford’s Perspective

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been transparent in recent interviews, stating the club won’t stand in Toney’s way should the right offer come in. The Bees are reportedly valuing Toney at around £50–60 million, though that fee could drop depending on the bidding dynamics and contract situation.

What It Means for the Market

Toney’s move could spark a domino effect in the striker market. Clubs like Manchester United, Tottenham, and even West Ham may pivot their striker strategies depending on his destination.

A bidding war could push up the fee, and personal terms — including a likely wage increase and ambitions for European football — will play a key role in the decision.

Conclusion

Ivan Toney’s expected departure from Brentford signals one of the Premier League’s most intriguing transfer battles of the summer. With both Arsenal and Chelsea looking to sharpen their front lines, the race for Toney’s signature is heating up — and it may just come down to ambition, Champions League football, and timing.

Stay with Sports Market International for the latest on this developing story

There’s every chance Jamie Vardy could play against Leicester City in the Championship next season and there is reported interest from more than one club in the second tier.

Vardy will leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the club.

The 38-year-old was instrumental in the Foxes’ famous Premier League and FA Cup wins but will leave the King Power Stadium when his contract expires in June.

With 143 Premier League goals and 26 England caps to his name, Vardy is in demand despite his advancing years.

Talk of interest from newly promoted Wrexham gathered pace after the Red Dragons confirmed their rise to the Championship on Saturday, but there’s a club in the middle of the table that could yet turn the striker’s head.

When footballers approach retirement age, emotion can come into their thinking in a way it might not when there are contracts to chase and goals to fulfil.

Vardy might not be one for sentiment but he is exactly the type to have a keen eye for unfinished business.

If that’s a motivating factor in his decision about his future, the glitz and glamour of Wrexham could lose out to the clarion call of home.

Sheffield Wednesday want Vardy and the feeling is understood to be mutual.

“We can confirm that Vardy sees Sheffield Wednesday as ‘one of his most desired options’ to join this summer,” reports EFL Analysis, citing transfer expert Graeme Bailey.

“There is interest from the Sheffield Wednesday end, but the situation is ‘complicated’ amid uncertainty surrounding Danny Rohl’s future at the club.”

Vardy is from Sheffield and was a big Wednesday fan as a kid but was released from the club’s academy at the age of 16.

After scoring goals for fun at local non-league outfit Stocksbridge Park Steels, Vardy embarked on a surge up the pyramid that took him to FC Halifax and Fleetwood Town on the way to legendary status and the most unlikely silverware at Leicester.

Vardy ‘hurt’ by Leicester relegation
The striker certainly isn’t going out on a high. Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League has been a stunningly tame affair and Vardy knows it.

“At this point I don’t even know what to say,” he posted on social media.

“No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone. There are no excuses.

“Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.

“Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes – and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment.

“It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too.”

Manchester United extended their winless run in the Premier League to five matches after their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

The Red Devils did move up to 14th in the table with their point, though their position in the league is rather irrelevant at this point in the campaign, after a late equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund.

Ruben Amorim’s side held 62% of the ball and created 2.52 xG worth of chances, to Bournemouth’s 0.53 xG, but failed to make the most of their opportunities at the top end of the pitch.

This shows that there were positives for the Portuguese coach to take away from the match, as his team were dominant and created enough chances to win, but he needs to find a way to improve the effectiveness of his players at both ends of the park.

Ruben Amorim and mikel arteta
That could be by coaching them on the training pitch ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, or it could be by improving the squad in the summer transfer window.

One player who may not have furthered his chances of earning a move to Old Trafford, however, is Dean Huijsen after a lacklustre performance on Sunday.

Dean Huijsen’s performance against Man Utd
The 20-year-old central defender is a reported transfer target for the Red Devils ahead of the summer transfer window, with a release clause of £55m, but did not show his best self against Amorim’s team.

As aforementioned, Manchester United created 2.52 xG worth of chances against Huijsen and his defensive teammates, which suggests that they found it relatively easy to break down the Bournemouth backline to create high-quality opportunities.

As you can see in the table above, the Spanish defender was dominant aerially and positioned himself well to make clearances, but left a bit to be desired with the timing and strength of his challenges on the ground.

Huijsen was also wasteful with the ball at his feet, completing 9% of his attempted long passes, and United may not have been impressed by his lack of quality in possession.

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen
It would be a bit of a gamble for the Red Devils to sign the Bournemouth star because he is still very young, at the age of 20, and had only played 14 top-flight matches prior to the start of this season.

United may opt to go for a centre-back with a bit more experience, who can make an instant impact, and they are reportedly looking at a 24-year-old defender who could be an even better signing than Huijsen.