IVAN WILL BEE HERE... NO DOUBT
Banned Toney to get offered new deal
BRENTFORD will offer Ivan Toney a new deal despite the striker being hit with an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
The 27-year-old has scored 20 Premier League goals this season.
But when he returns to action in January he will be entering the final 18 months of his current deal which could significantly reduce the value of a player the Bees rate at £100million. Brentford are already resigned to losing goalkeeper David Raya (left, with Toney) this summer after the Spaniard rejected two new contract offers. And Bees boss Thomas Frank admitted the club must tie down Toney on a new deal.
“His future is with Brentford, there’s no doubt about that,” said Frank.
“It’s an ongoing talk with all of our players when they hit that mark of around two years left. Do we want to let the contract run out, or do we want to extend it?
“Ivan is in the bracket of players we want to keep. He is a top player and that is something we need to consider.”
Frank said the suspension of Toney should make football assess its relationship with gambling.
However, with Brentford one of eight Premier League clubs sponsored by a betting company and owner Matthew Benham making his fortune from the industry, the Dane admits it’s not a clear-cut decision. “There is an issue we need to address, but where is the perfect balance?” he said.
“Can football just say ‘no’ and have no relationship with any betting companies? I don’t know.”
Brentford are still waiting for the official report detailing the reasons for Toney’s ban.
And Frank said the club is unsure whether he will even be allowed to enter the training ground until he returns to work.
“We are waiting for the information, so we know what we can do,” said Frank.
“Can we approach him, what is he allowed to do in the first four months?
“One thing is for sure, we’ll do everything we can to be there for him, support him, be aware of his mental health. He’s made mistakes, but we need to be there for him and help him.”