Brentford ‘eye move for Vik’ after Ivan ban
PREMIER League side Brentford are reportedly ready to ‘step up’ their pursuit of Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres in the summer, as they search for a replacement for the suspended Ivan Toney.
The Brentford forward has been given an eight-month footballing ban for breaking betting rules. It means that the Bees will be on the search for a striker in the transfer window, with the club ‘tracking’ Gyokeres for some time.
According to TALKSPORT, Brentford are now ‘ready to make their move’ for the Coventry man in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old has played a key part in Sky Blues’ run to the Championship play-off final this season, scoring 21 Championship goals.
The report says that Brentford will ‘step up’ their pursuit in the summer, but may find it difficult to prise the player away from Coventry should they beat Luton Town in the play-off final later this month.
Sky Blues are said to be demanding a fee of ‘at least £25million’ should they cash in, but a bidding war could possibly mean the price goes higher, with Wolves also said to be showing an interest in the Sweden international. Coventry are also said to have to pay a sell-on clause to Gyokeres’ previous club Brighton should they sell the player.
Responding to speculation over the future of Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer ahead of the play-off semifinal against Middlesbrough, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins brushed off talk over their future beyond the play-off campaign.
“Well, everyone is speculating about that but they are under contract for another 12 months so I don’t know what the fuss is all about,” he said . “We will address everything in the summer as usual.”
Meawhile, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said Toney’s future will be at the Bees, despite his ban.
The 27-year-old was found by the Football Association to have committed 232 breaches of its betting rules between 2017 and 2021.
It means Brentford’s top scorer will now not play again until January 2024, with the suspension also prohibiting him from working with his team-mates at the club’s training ground until September.
“I’ve been in contact with him. He’s disappointed and sad about the situation,” said Frank. “His future is with Brentford, there’s no doubt about that.”