Frank says Toney departure from Brentford is ‘obvious’

Ivan Toney is one of the most in-demand strikers in European soccer. He has just one year left on his Brentford contract.

Thomas Frank has revealed that Ivan Toney probably won’t be a Brentford player for much longer. In a recent interview, the Danish manager said it was “obvious” that Toney will probably be sold this summer.

Toney has just returned from an eight-month ban for illegal betting offences. He has been linked to Arsenal, Chelsea, and other big clubs. His Brentford contract expires in June 2025.

Toney to go, says Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank spoke to the media in his native Denmark this week about Brentford, the 2023/24 Premier League season, and of course, about Ivan Toney.

The Bees boss spoke candidly about Toney’s return to the club following his eight-month ban and about Brentford’s chances of keeping Toney after this season. 

“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,” Frank revealed. 

“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team.”

Brentford were previously coy about talking about Toney’s potential transfer. The player himself has been more open though. Toney told Sky Sports last month that he “wants to play for a top club that is fighting for titles.”

Frank says January rumours were fake news

As in-demand as Toney is, and will be this summer, apparently there were no clubs interested in the striker last January. 

Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham were all linked to Toney in January. According to Frank, the reports of bids for Toney were fake news. 

“This winter, we actually had no offers for him,” said the Brentford boss before admitting that “It will surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs that will be interested in him [in the summer].”

Newcastle lead transfer odds

Toney, who is 27 years old, is on the radar of virtually every top club in England. As we already mentioned, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all been concretely linked to Toney. According to the betting sites though, Newcastle is his most likely landing spot. 

Most of the best soccer betting sites give the Magpies $4.00 odds to sign Toney this summer. Arsenal and Manchester United come in second with $9.00 odds. Tottenham and Chelsea are actually big outsiders. West Ham @ $11.00 odds are third according to the oddsmakers.

According to Frank, whoever signs Toney will have to pay a big price. “We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now,” he said.

Toney, who is 27 years old, has scored two goals in his three matches for Brentford since returning from injury. His Brentford contract expires after the 2024/25 Premier League season.