Ivan Toney: Brentford boss Thomas Frank Expects Striker to Leave in Summer
Brentford boss Thomas Frank says he expects striker Ivan Toney to leave the club in the summer.
The 27-year-old will have one year left on his contract at the end of the season and has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea.
Toney scored on his return to action in January following an eight-month ban for breaching gambling regulations.
"It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer," said Frank.
Frank said: "It can be 'expensive' to sell your best player, but conversely I also know that this summer he only has one year left on his contract with us.
"We also know what he is worth. I don't think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now."
Toney was suspended for eight months from May last year for breaking Football Association betting rules - including betting against his own team.
His original 11-month sanction was reduced by three months after Toney was diagnosed with a gambling addiction.
The once-capped England international returned to action for the Bees in their 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on 20 January, marking his comeback with a goal.
But Toney said he wants to play for a "big club" with several Premier League clubs expressing interest in the forward.
"You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere,” he said, “but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club.
"To be the best, you have to play with the best and compete against the best," he continued. "We all know Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and he's been doing it for some years now.
"If I want to be England's No 1, then I have to compete against him. He's not a bad striker to be taking tips off and be training with.
"I just have to keep scoring goals, keep playing well and then who knows what could happen? If I just fall short, then hopefully I can become the second best in the world."
The Bees' London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, have both been linked with Toney, but Frank revealed that the club had received no offers in January for the frontman.
"This winter we actually had no offers for him, but it will surprise me if there aren't a lot of clubs that will be interested in him," said Frank.
"He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team."
Toney joined the Bees in 2020 and has made 127 appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals during the 2020-21 Championship season as they returned to the top flight after a 74-year absence.
In the Premier League, he scored 12 goals in 2021-22 and 20 in the 2022-23 season.
This season, Brentford have struggled in his absence and sit 15th in the Premier League, three points above the relegation zone.
