Brentford striker Ivan Toney was noticeably absent from the squad in their Premier League opener, and manager Thomas Frank revealed that transfer speculation surrounding the player was the main reason behind the decision. Toney has been linked with several English clubs as well as a potential move to the Saudi Pro League throughout the summer.
In an interview with Sky Sports before the match against Crystal Palace, Frank acknowledged the ongoing transfer interest in Toney, stating, “There are a lot of things going on with Ivan, especially with transfers, there’s a lot of transfer interest.” Due to this situation, the club decided it was best to leave him out of the squad for the time being. When asked if Toney has played his last match for Brentford, Frank responded, “Who knows? There is interest, it’s not close.”
Toney has been a key player for Brentford since joining the club from Peterborough United in 2020, scoring an impressive 67 league goals in 128 games. However, his return to action in January came after an eight-month ban for breaking Football Association betting rules, including betting against his own team.
The decision to leave Toney out of the squad for the Premier League opener has raised questions about Brentford’s confidence in their ability to thrive without him. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock suggested that the club may be open to offers for Toney, saying, “Do they think they can survive without Ivan Toney? The decision today suggests that yes, they think they can.” On BBC Radio 5 Live, ex-England striker Ellen White added, “Not to be brutal but if Brentford get the money for Ivan Toney and go on to stay up this season then they are laughing aren’t they?” She also noted that Toney is in the last year of his contract, which means he could potentially leave for free next summer.
The speculation surrounding Toney’s future highlights the challenges faced by clubs when trying to hold onto their best players. Brentford will need to carefully consider their options and weigh the potential financial gain against the loss of a talented player. Only time will tell whether Toney will remain at the club or if a transfer will come to fruition.