Thomas Frank provides update on Ivan Toney’s Brentford future

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank provides an update on Ivan Toney’s future following Saturday’s 5-2 win over AFC Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has provided an update on Ivan Toney’s future amid interest from fellow Premier League clubs.
Toney was heavily linked with a departure in the January transfer window after he returned to action from an eight-month betting ban.

Arsenal and Chelsea were among the sides credited with an interest, but Toney ultimately stayed put to spend the second half of the 2023-24 campaign with the Bees.

Toney netted four goals in five league matches on his return from a gambling ban, before he drew a blank in each of his final 12 top-flight appearances.

The 28-year-old still did enough to earn himself a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024, where he made three substitute appearances, contributing an assist in the last 16 against Slovakia and scoring a penalty in the shootout success against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Frank provides update on Toney future

Toney has now gone on holiday following England’s defeat to Spain in the European Championship final, but it is currently unclear whether he will still be a Brentford player by the time the new Premier League season kicks off next month.

The current summer transfer window represents one final chance for Brentford to command a considerable fee, with Toney’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

However, Frank has insisted he would love to keep Toney at the Gtech Community Stadium despite the speculation surrounding the player’s future.

“You never know, he is a Brentford player. I would love him to stay. That would give me a very positive challenge,” Frank told Sky Sports following Saturday’s 5-2 win over AFC Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly.

“But, you know, I haven’t met a coach that didn’t want as many good players as possible. So right now, Ivan is a Brentford player. I know he’s enjoying his time off, well-deserved time off after the time with England, and I’m happy if he’s here with us, I’ll be more than happy at training.

“He’s a goalscorer and that’s very good to have in your team. And if someone wants to buy him, it’s expensive.”

Where could Toney go this summer?
While Frank is keen to retain Toney’s services, Brentford will entertain any suitable offers due to the player’s contract situation.

However, it appears unlikely that Arsenal and Chelsea will renew their interest, while Manchester United are not expected to pursue a move after previously being linked with the England international.

As it stands, Brentford’s fellow London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United appear to be leading the race for Toney’s signature.

If Toney does depart this summer, the Bees already have a ready-made replacement in Brazilian forward Igor Thiago.

The 23-year-old, who arrived in a club-record £30m deal from Club Brugge, grabbed a couple of goals in the commanding win over Wimbledon at Plough Lane.

Brentford will now head to Portugal for two friendlies against Benfica and Estrela, before they conclude their pre-season schedule with games against Watford and Wolfsburg.

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