- Brentford striker, 27, was banned for eight months for breaching betting rules
- Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with Toney ahead of January window
- Thomas Frank admitted he wants the striker at Brentford ‘forever’ amid rumours
Thomas Frank hopes Ivan Toney will remain at Brentford ‘forever’ but did not categorically rule out the England striker leaving the club in January.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a swoop in the winter transfer window for Toney, who by January 17 will be available again after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
It has been reported that Brentford have slapped a £100million price tag on a player who scored 20 goals last season and made his England debut against Ukraine in a European Championship qualifier in March.
Frank was reluctant to confirm the accuracy of the valuation but recognises Toney’s importance and insisted the 27-year-old, who returned to training in September, is content to stay with Brentford.
Speaking ahead of Brentford’s match against West Ham on Saturday, Frank told a press conference: ‘I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay.
Bees boss Thomas Frank is keen for Ivan Toney to remain at Brentford, despite rumours surrounding the striker’s future at the club in the run-up to the January transfer window
Toney, 27, was banned from football for eight months after breaching betting rules
Brentford have slapped a £100million price tag on a player who scored 20 goals last season and made his England debut against Ukraine in a European Championship qualifier in March
‘He is happy at the club. What happens in the future is impossible to guess about.
‘He’s a top player, one of our most important players, if not the most important last year. Any player that can score 20-plus goals in the Premier League are very, very important.
‘Ivan’s skillset in terms of finishing abilities with his left and right (foot), heading and his composure in those moments and his link-up play and his presence, character, is a very good package.
‘It’s not (up to) me to put a price tag on him, it’s down to the club. But I’m happy with him, I hope he plays here forever and I’m the coach.’
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