BRENTFORD boss Thomas Frank has admitted publicly for the first time that Ivan Toney will ‘likely’ be sold in the summer.
The striker has one year left on his Brentford contract following his return from suspension for betting offences last month.
Chelsea and Arsenal are among those interested in Toney.
The 27-year-old scored twice in three matches since returning from his eight-month ban.
Despite Toney confirming his commitment to the club, his departure has all but been confirmed.
Bees boss Frank told Danish magazine Tipsbladet: “It’s quite obvious that Toney will most likely be sold in the summer.
READ MORE BRENTFORD NEWS
“It can be expensive to sell your best player, but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us.
“We also know what he’s worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.
“He’s a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him at a top team.”
Frank added that Brentford did not receive any offers for Toney during the January transfer window, but he expects a host of suitors to come in during the summer window.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
Last month, Brentford valued the England international at £100million.
Toney has made no secret of his ambitions to play for an elite side.
Brentford go ‘full WWE mode’ and introduce Ivan Toney ‘like the Undertaker’ as light show marks striker’s return
He told Sky Sports: “You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club.”
Arriving for £5million in 2020 from Peterborough, Toney fired Frank’s side into to the English top-flight.
He has registered 70 goals in 127 games for Brentford in all competitions, including 20 in 33 Premier League appearances last season.
Toney has brought a huge amount of belief into Brentford at a time when they had lost nine of their last eleven league matches.
As well as helping Brentford escape the threat of relegation, the striker hopes to claim a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at this summer’s Euros.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
