Gabriel Agbonlahor is convinced that Chelsea will make a move to try sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

Ivan Toney, who’s missed the first half of the season through suspension, will be available to make his return next month.

The English striker scored 21 goals in 35 games across all competitions last season for Brentford, so it’s not the biggest surprise that he’s a popular name in the transfer rumour mill.

TalkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor has warned Arsenal they should move fast if they want to sign Toney because it’s inevitable that Chelsea will try swoop in.

Agbonlahor told talkSPORT (18 December): “Ivan Toney, if I was Arsenal now I would be doing everything I can behind the scenes to make it happen. Can we sell Smith Rowe maybe? Can we sacrifice someone and get £30-£40million? Yeah, 100%. If you could (use) Eddie Nketiah and say to Brentford, ‘Here you go.” Here’s £15-20million whatever for Ivan Toney or maybe £30million. 100%.

“He can run in behind. He is strong. Did you see the goal where he dinked the keeper from 30 yards? He can finish, he is good in the air, he is good at holding the ball up. Imagine him with the runs from [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli down the wings, [Martin] Odegaard in the middle.

“Make that happen, because you know Chelsea are going to try and do it.”

Chelsea will move for Ivan Toney

There’s plenty of speculation that points towards Chelsea trying to complete a raid on Brentford.

Journalist Simon Phillips recently claimed via Substack that Toney is Chelsea’s favourite striker target ahead of the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, journalist Ben Jacobs reportted via Substack last month that Premier League club Brentford could demand as much as £80million for Toney’s sale.

Nicolas Jackson has scored quiet a few goals to mark a decent start to his Blues career this season. Meanwhile, Armando Broja is another exciting option in the No 9 position.

However, we’d love to see Chelsea go all out and try to bring Toney to Stamford Bridge.