Ivan Toney demanding release clause in talks over new Brentford contract
- Arsenal & Chelsea have both held talks with Toney's representatives over a transfer
- Brentford's asking price of over £80m likely to block January exit
- Striker remains contracted to Brentford until 2025
Ivan Toney will demand a release clause in any talks with Brentford over a new contract as he continues to push for a move away from the club, 90min understands.
Toney, who is in the final 18 months of his current deal, is keen to leave Brentford as soon as January and has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea, who have both held talks with Toney's representatives.
Brentford are prepared to demand in excess of £80m to sell Toney in January - a figure which is understood to have shocked the striker.
Such a high asking price is likely to block a winter transfer for Toney, who will turn 28 in March, and now the Bees forward is considering alternative options to resolve his future.
One route potentially available to Toney is to sign a new contract with Brentford which includes a release clause. The striker is open to extending his current deal but still sees his future away from the club and will demand a reasonable exit clause to facilitate a move.
Any extension would be mutually beneficial as it would allow Brentford to preserve Toney's value and stop him entering the final 12 months of his existing deal, while a suitable release clause would assist a future transfer for Toney, who would also likely secure a pay rise in the process.
Brentford are prepared to offer Toney a new contract as they seek to keep hold of their star striker but much will depend on their willingness to offer a release clause and just how highly they value Toney.
Toney is still keen to leave the club in January but fears his high price tag could scare off suitors, with both Arsenal and Chelsea known to be evaluating other targets.
Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez has been scouted by both London giants, while Chelsea are huge admirers of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and are watching on as the Nigeria international continues his own complex contract negotiations.
Toney remains suspended from competitive action as a result of his gambling breaches and is not permitted to return until January 17. Should he remain with the Brentford first team, he would be free to face Chelsea and Arsenal in back-to-back action in early March.
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