Jamie Carragher and Daniel Sturridge have named which club Ivan Toney should join in the January transfer window. The 27-year-old striker was heavily linked with an exit from Brentford at the end of last season but, after receiving an eight-month ban for breaching Football Association betting rules in the summer, a transfer collapsed.

Despite having not played in the Premier League since May, Toney continues to attract interest from top clubs across Europe. The England international will be eligible to finally make his full return to action on January 16, but his first competitive game back for the Bees won't be until January 30 against Tottenham.

In the meantime, Toney has been building his fitness; the striker marked his first-team comeback with a goal when Brentford drew 2-2 with Serie B side Como in a friendly last month. Despite the risk that he's no longer as good of a player as he once was, the Bees have reportedly given him a £100million price tag.

It remains to be seen whether the Englishman's evaluation fends off interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, but Carragher and Sturridge have forecasted a move. Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show, the former Liverpool defender explained why Mikel Arteta must take a risk on Toney.

"Ivan Toney could elevate Arsenal," said Carragher. "He’s a different type of striker and I’m a huge fan of his. In terms of quality, there’s no doubt it’s there. But to take Arsenal to the Premier League title?

"I think Arsenal might have to take that chance because if they don’t fix that position – and the goalkeeping one too – I think it’s going to be very difficult for them to overhaul Manchester City."

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Sturridge agreed that Toney deserves a move to a top-six Premier League side, but he's not convinced that a move to Arsenal is the right decision. The former Chelsea striker said: "I agree. For me, Toney is a top striker and he deserves that chance.

"He’s a player who knows the Premier League and understands the level. He brings a different level of aggression to the forward line, his hold-up play is good and he’s a finisher.

"Those are traits you want in top strikers. I think he would suit Chelsea the most, but I also think he could play for Tottenham."

Ahead of Brentford's clash against West Ham at the weekend, Thomas Frank insisted that he wants to keep Toney, who is 'happy' at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Brentford boss said: "He is happy at the club, I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay. He's happy at the club. What happens in the future is impossible to guess about."

Frank later added: "Ivan's skillset in terms of finishing, composure in those moments, link-up play, presence, character... He is a very good package. It's not for me to put a price tag on him, it is down to the club. I'm happy with him and I hope he plays here forever."