Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes the club could sell Ivan Toney for the “right price” and expects proposals for the striker in January.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has stated that Ivan Toney might be moved in the near future for ‘the right price’.
Toney is presently serving an eight-month FA suspension for violating betting regulations, but he returned to training with his Brentford teammates this week as the restrictions eased.
Despite his extended suspension, several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, have been linked with a January transfer for the striker.
With 20 goals and four assists in the previous league season, Bees boss Frank understands why a lot of big teams are interested in Toney.
‘So far, we’ve only sold one in the Premier League, , and that was David Raya – or it’s a loan, but it’ll definitely be a sale in the future,’ says the manager. Frank stated on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports.
Except for five or six clubs, I believe every club in the world is a selling club. If the correct price is offered, we are a selling club.
‘I think if it’s the right time for the player to go, that would be Phil [Giles, director of football] or Matthew [Benham, Brentford’s owner] in the end, then I think if they’ve developed well with us, been on the journey, and now they’ve proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if it’s the right price,’ he says.
When Frank was questioned if it also applied to Toney, who is arguably their finest player, the Brentford manager replied, ‘Yeah, I suppose so. I understand why there are so many rumours about him.
‘He’s one of the top strikers in the world, as a striker No.9, I don’t see many better than him, of course you have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these things, but not many.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes the club could sell Ivan Toney for the “right price” and expects proposals for the striker in January.
‘He scored 20 Premier League goals last year in a very good Brentford side, but we don’t create as many chances as the top six or seven sides.
‘Imagine him in a great team, he’d easily score 20, 25 goals for me,’ says the coach. I think he’s composed, he’s a wonderful finisher, and he has a great attitude, so I see why clubs are interested in him’.
Toney received the lengthy sentence and a £50,000 fine after accepting 232 violations of the FA’s betting rules.
He was unable to train with his club as part of his punishment for the first half of the ban, but he has been working hard away from Brentford and was recently photographed practising alone ahead of a key milestone on his recovery route.
Toney signed a contract with famous sports management firm CAA Stellar in August, indicating his intention to depart Brentford.
‘It is incredibly timely for me to join CAA Stellar,’ Toney remarked. It’s like a new beginning.
‘Never underestimate your ability to change the course of your life.’
‘I am very delighted that we have signed Ivan,’ said CAA Stellar executive chairman Jonathan Barnett, who supervised Gareth Bale’s career and memorably negotiated his record-breaking move to Real Madrid. He is a terrific talent, and I am confident that this is just the beginning of a fantastic future for him.’
