Thomas Frank hopes to keep Ivan Toney at Brentford beyond the January window amid heavy links to Arsenal and Chelsea.
According to 90 Min, Thomas Frank has reiterated his desire to keep Ivan Toney at the club beyond the January window. The 27-year-old has heavy links to Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of the next transfer window, but nothing seems inevitable at this stage.
In a recent segment on Sky Sports, Thomas Frank claimed Brentford were a selling club and would consider all offers coming on the table. That included bids for star striker Ivan Toney. The forward continues to attract massive interest despite serving a ban for illegal betting.
The striker has already resumed training with Brentford and will make his return to the pitch in mid-January. By then, Frank hopes the 27-year-old remains a Bees player and dreams of keeping him beyond the next window.
Ideally, a summer sale would suit Brentford, as they are also hoping to extend his stay at the club. Reports are suggesting a release clause in the contract would appeal to Toney to stay put at the club for the time being. Frank hopes to have the forward in his ranks despite the heavy interest from some of the big clubs.
Frank said, “Everyone saw what he did last year. It’s not like he broke a leg or did his ACL, so he’s fit and probably even more ambitious to get success. I’m convinced he will be absolutely on it. I don’t want to lose him. I hope, and think, he’ll be a Brentford player on February 1.”
Real Madrid are reportedly interested, as per recent stories, but the big interest comes from Arsenal and Chelsea. Toney remains one of the top strikers in the Premier League, as many top teams miss a presence like the 27-year-olds on their sides.
Arsenal are better positioned to sign him if Mikel Arteta decides on pursuing Toney in January. Recent developments with Thomas Partey have changed their course, as they might target a new midfielder instead.
Chelsea remain interested, but owing to the high fee that Brentford might demand, the Blues could abandon their pursuit. Clubs are always wary of making foundational signings in January, which could see all clubs push their pursuit of Toney until the summer.
For now, all chips are in Brentford’s hands, as they might decide on their next course of action with Toney’s future. Irrespective of what Frank wants, the club will make the ultimate decision. At their current asking price, hardly any clubs are about to come anywhere near approaching the 27-year-old.
