Thomas Frank has said he hopes Ivan Toney remains at Brentford ‘forever’ as transfer speculation surrounds the forward.
Toney is a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs having all been linked with the England international.
The 27-year-old has scored 32 goals in 66 Premier League appearances since Brentford were promoted to the Premier League and earned his first senior cap for England during March’s international break.
Toney is currently sidelined as he serves an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s gambling rules, but will be free to resume his career in January.
Toney’s return will coincide with the opening of the winter transfer window, but Frank is hopeful that the Bees can retain the services of last season’s leading scorer.
Reports this week said that Brentford will demand a fee of £100m from interested clubs in January, though Toney will have just 18 months remaining on his contract in west London when the window opens.
“He is a very good player. To have a proven goalscorer in the Premier League is very valuable,” Frank said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Brentford’s clash with West Ham this weekend.
“Ivan’s skillset in terms of his finishing abilities, his composure, and his link-up play, plus his character, is a very good package. I hope he plays here forever.”
