TONEY WILL BEE GOING!
Frank admits he can’t hang on to in- demand ace
THOMAS FRANK has admitted Ivan Toney is set to leave Brentford at the end of the season.
The 27- year- old frontman is due to enter the final 12 months of his current Bees deal this summer – meaning a parting of ways is on the cards.
Frank s ai d: “It ’s quit e obvious that Ivan will most likely be sold in the summer.
“It can be expensive to sell your best player but, on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ ll only have a year l ef t on hi s contract with us.”
Despite conceding Toney is likely to move on, Frank also indicated he will not be sold on the cheap. The Dane has previously declared he values the England international strike rat £ 100million – although his dwindling contract could change the picture.
“We also know what he’s worth,” Frank told Danish magazine Tipsbl adet. “I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.
“He’s a real ly good striker, who is in his prime footballing age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him at a top team.
“This winter, w e actually had no bids for him, but it would surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs interested in him.”
Arsenal are among the clubs tracking Toney, although they will also consider moves for other striker targets, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Chelsea have also been linked with Toney but he is understood to favour a move to the Gunners, where Champions League football is likely to be on offer next season. Tottenham – who are yet to sign a like- for- like replacement for Harry Kane – are considered outsiders for his signature.
Toney has hit the ground running following his return from an eight- month ban for fo breaching the FA’S b betting regulations last M May. He has netted twice in his last three top- flight m matches after scoring against Nottingham F Forest and Spurs ( left).
Now a late push for Gareth South gate’ s E Euros squad is firmly on t the striker’s radar.