The manager of Brentford, Thomas Frank, has conceded that he foresees Ivan Toney, who is being pursued by Arsenal and Chelsea in the transfer market, remaining at the club until the conclusion of the January window. The 27-year-old forward, who is poised to make his return to football in mid-January after serving an eight-month ban for betting breaches, has attracted attention from both London clubs and major fan fare at leading sports betting sites such as FanDuel sportsbook.
Following a change in priorities towards signing a midfielder and the emergence of links to Victor Osimhen from Napoli, the Gunners’ interest in Toney has somewhat diminished. However, Chelsea, situated at Stamford Bridge, is reportedly contemplating a significant financial move to secure Toney’s transfer from Brentford in January.
Throughout his absence, Toney has consistently provided updates on his professional activities off the field via Instagram, showcasing his exceptional physical fitness despite not engaging in any competitive games since May. Since September, he has been actively training and recently made a return to the pitch in a closed-door friendly match against Serie A side Como, where he managed to find the back of the net.
During the last season, Toney showcased his goal-scoring prowess by tallying an impressive 20 goals in the Premier League. His remarkable performance not only contributed to Brentford’s ninth-place finish but also earned him his debut appearance for the England national team. In Toney’s absence, Bryan Mbeumo has taken on the responsibility of finding the back of the net. The 24-year-old demonstrated his abilities by scoring in Brentford’s 2-0 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
As the winter transfer window approaches, Brentford’s head coach, Frank, has faced numerous inquiries regarding Toney’s future. His latest comments have particularly piqued the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea. Frank expressed his reluctance to let Toney go, stating, “I do not wish to lose him. I have high hopes and believe that he will remain a Brentford player come February 1st,” as he shared with The Evening Standard. Frank acknowledged Toney’s remarkable performance in the previous year and emphasized his physical fitness and increased determination to achieve success. He confidently stated, “I am thoroughly convinced that he will be fully dedicated.”
In spite of securing the signings of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the summer, the Blues are still in pursuit of a new No.9. While Jackson has faced certain challenges in adapting to the Premier League, Nkunku has been absent from the team for the first few months of the season due to injury. Nevertheless, his imminent comeback could potentially influence the club’s strategies for the January transfer window.
