Ivan Toney transfer twist as Brentford boss Thomas Frank confirms talks for Arsenal target
Speaking ahead of their season opening clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Thomas Frank revealed he had left Ivan Toney out of his squad amid transfer interest in the England forward
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that he left out Ivan Toney from his squad to face Crystal Palace after receiving "transfer interest" in the England forward.
Toney has been a reported transfer target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this summer, but reports emerged on Sunday that Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli have added him to their transfer shortlist.
With the striker, who was part of the England squad who lost in the Euro 2024 final this summer, facing an uncertain future, Frank made the decision to leave him out of his squad for their Premier League opener against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of their season opening clash against the Eagles on Sunday, the Dane told Sky Sports : "A lot of things going on with Ivan [Toney], especially with transfers, there's a lot of transfer interest. Because of all that, we've decided not to include him in the squad.
"I can't give too much away the day before. Of course Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He has been fantastic for us for four years but we showed last season we can cope without him."
When asked if he had played his last game for the Bees, he added: "Who knows. There is interest, it's not close." A report from the Athletic has also claimed there was indeed interest from the Middle Eastern outfit but that nothing had been agreed yet.
The 28-year-old missed half of last season after serving a ban related to betting offences, before returning to net four Premier League goals.
He was included in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad this summer, providing an assist for Harry Kane's winning goal in a 2-1 win over Slovakia. Toney later went viral at the tournament after fans raved over his superb no-look penalty kick during a quarter-final shootout victory over Switzerland.
The news comes just a day after Frank said Toney was looking "sharp" in training and available for the Palace game, having "trained with a big smile on his face".
Toney has just one year remaining on his current deal at Brenford and the club will realistically not get another chance to cash on on the player as he heads towards his thirties. It's reported the club are looking to rake in between £50m and £60m for the striker.
Brentford signed striker Igor Thiago, who many saw as a possible successor to Toney at the Gtech Community Stadium, before the £30m signing picked up a meniscus injury that ruled him out for the rest of 2024.
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