Ivan Toney has been told to ‘back himself’ and see out the final season of his contract at Brentford.
Toney has entered the final year of his deal with the Bees and is expected to leave Brentford before the transfer deadline.
The 28-year-old was left out of the squad to face Crystal Palace at the weekend with Thomas Frank confirming negotiations over a transfer were happening in the background.
Despite continued speculation, there has been little concrete interest from the Premier League’s top teams in Toney with several suitors having since signed alternative options.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have had an opening bid rejected and are expected to return with an improve proposal, though the move to the Middle East could damage Toney’s hopes of England involvement moving forward.
Speaking on William Hill’s Three Upfront Podcast alongside Simon Jordan and Graeme Souness, former Watford forward Troy Deeney said Toney should back himself at Brentford and earn a more high-profile move.
He believes another prolific campaign in the Premier League would lead to big-name suitors, particularly given Toney’s status as a free agent in 2025. The forward has scored 36 goals in 83 top-flight appearances since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League.
“Toney has two options. He can take the money and run, admit he’s not an elite player and go to Saudi,” Deeney said.
“Or he can back himself, let his contract run out and score as many goals as he can in the process. Then that £30 million that would’ve been spent on him can be wrapped up in his next contract.”
