Man Utd legend Gary Neville hopes ‘brilliant’ Premier League star snubs Arsenal and Chelsea transfer

GARY NEVILLE has revealed that he hopes Ivan Toney snubs a transfer away from Brentford this month.

Speculation has been rife about a potential transfer for the 27-year-old with London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea both heavily linked with moves this month.

AlamyIvan Toney’s Premier League return is imminent[/caption]

Gary Neville hopes he will stay at Brentford and snub a January move to Arsenal or ChelseaRex

Toney scored 20 goals for Brentford last season

Toney’s return to Premier League football is imminent following his eight-month betting ban which ends on January 17.

He has been seen back in action for Brentford B behind the scenes, netting a hat-trick against Southampton Under-21 before scoring a panenka penalty against Brondby earlier this month.

However, while it remains to be seen whether a club will cough up enough for the Bees to sell – with reports suggesting Toney could fetch up to £100million – Neville has given his verdict on the move.

Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, Manchester United icon Neville, 48, said: “There has been big talk, hasn’t there, around a big transfer potentially to Arsenal?

“I don’t see it happening personally at this point in the season or in the transfer window.

“He is a brilliant player, isn’t he? We have seen clips on social media this week of goals that he has been scoring, a Panenka penalty this morning, which was nice.

“He is obviously getting his games in behind the scenes, behind closed doors.

“Brentford are a wonderful club. I love going to Brentford, one of the favourite grounds in the league.”

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He continued: “I have not been for a bit, but with Ivan Toney upfront, with [Yoane] Wissa, with [Bryan] Mbeumo, they are one of the great threats, a bit of a throwback of how they play.

“And I think him coming back will mean, and 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.”

Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games last season, also adding four assists.

The English ace revealed he fell “out of love with football” during his ban.

But Toney has declared he has “unfinished business” and could feature in Brentford’s next Premier League game against Wolves.

SunSport outlined three ways Toney would instantly improve the Gunners frontline.

But with boss Mikel Arteta admitting such a move is unlikely this month, SunSport have also looked at five alternative options for the north London side to sharpen their edge.

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