Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star warns clubs they would ‘be thick’ to sign Ivan Toney in £100m transfer

CLUBS would have to “be thick” to fork out £100million on Ivan Toney this month, claims William Gallas.

Brentford star Toney, 27, is eligible to play again after serving his eight-month betting ban.

AlamyIvan Toney is nearing a return to action for Brentford[/caption]

GettyWilliam Gallas has had his say on Toney’s transfer links[/caption]

The £100million-rated one-cap England international has been linked with a move away from the Bees, with Chelsea and Arsenal interested.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank recently claimed that he was “99 per cent sure” that Toney will stay for the rest of the season.

But the striker himself has refused to rule out a move, instead admitting that he’s eager to play for a “top club”.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Gallas would be unimpressed if either of his former clubs matched Brentford’s £100m asking price.

Speaking to Gambling Zone, the Frenchman said: “How much would Arsenal or Chelsea pay for him?

“Some clubs are thick. They don’t realise that there’s too much money in football so they’ll pay £100m for Toney.

“That means the player has to be an international player. He has hardly played for England.

“How can you explain to me that his price is £100m? If you buy a player for £100m, he has to be a young player.

“Spending £100m on a 27-year-old is too much. Either you spend £100m on an international player or a young player that a team can invest in for the long-term.”

Toney could return for Brentford in their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest this Saturday.

Prior to his ban, Toney had scored 20 goals in 33 Prem outings last term.

Speaking to Sky Sports about his future this week, Toney said: “I don’t know. You can never predict when’s the right time to move elsewhere.

“But it’s obvious I want to play for a top club, everyone wants to play for a top club and fight 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.”

Pundit Gary Neville has admitted that he hopes Toney stays at Brentford until at least the end of the season.

Speaking on his podcast, the 48-year-old said: “I hope Brentford keep him for the rest of the season and I hope Ivan Toney plays at the highest level as well at some point in the near future.

“But I think for Brentford to keep him for the rest of the season will be really good.

“I mean, there’s talk of Chelsea and Arsenal sniffing around him, but I hope he does stay at Brentford to give them a really strong finish to the season and I am delighted that he is back.”

GettyThomas Frank is confident of keeping Toney this month[/caption]