Brentford coach Thomas Frank moved to avoid saying he is ‘desperate’ for Ivan Toney to stay beyond January amidst Mikel Arteta targeting the striker’s transfer to Arsenal.
The 27-year-old is on the verge of returning to action at the Gtech Community Stadium next month. Toney can resume his career from January 17 after serving an eight-month FA ban. It has denied Brentford the services of one of the Premier League’s best goalscorers this term.
Only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) outscored Toney in the top-flight last season as he bagged 20 goals. The forward further laid on four assists in 33 appearances to show Arteta that Toney is worthwhile at Arsenal as the Spaniard looks to land an out-and-out No9.
Mikel Arteta has marked Ivan Toney as Arsenal’s top transfer target
Reports by the Mirror claim that Arteta has marked Toney as Arsenal’s top striker target and that Brentford will sell. But the Bees are reluctant to let him leave, so will demand £60m for his signature. Toney can help Arteta, though, as he is also keen to sign for Arsenal in January.
Toney has developed a strong desire to join the Gunners while only able to train at Brentford this season. Arteta also covets his arrival at Emirates Stadium to offer a robust presence next to Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. The pair have hit three and five goals so far this season.
What has Thomas Frank said about Ivan Toney’s future for January?
Brentford boss Frank has now addressed Toney’s future at the Gtech Community Stadium as Arsenal target his transfer for January. But while Frank would ‘really, really like’ Toney to stay put next month, the Bees coach moved to avoid saying he is ‘desperate’ to block his transfer.
“Am I desperate to keep him? Desperate is a big word,” Frank said, via quotes by the Metro. “I’d really, really like to keep him. I’m a head coach. I’d love to have my best players with me all the time. So, from my perspective, I don’t want to sell him.
“That’s me because he is fantastic. Last year, three players scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League, and he was one of them. So, obviously, he is an important player for us and we are just enjoying him every day and looking forward to when we can use him.”
Brentford have Toney under contract until June 2025, so are under no pressure to sell him in January. The Bees’ recent struggles should also see them put up a greater resistance to any moves Arsenal may make. Frank’s side have only won one of their last seven league fixtures.
A run of three points from a potential 21 has left Brentford 14th in the table at the mid-way mark. They are also only four points clear of Luton Town in the relegation zone. But both the Hatters and Brentford have only played 18 matches compared to the 19 of their rival squads.
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