Arsenal ‘could MISS OUT on signing Ivan Toney in January because of Brentford’s dismal form’ – with Thomas Frank ‘desperate to keep his star striker in bid to beat the drop’
Arsenal have apparently been handed a blow in their pursuit of Ivan Toney, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank supposedly ‘desperate’ to keep his star player until the end of the season.
Despite his eight-month ban from football for violating FA betting rules, the future of the £100 million-rated England striker has been the subject of considerable speculation since the summer transfer window.
That suspension is expected to expire next month, and the Gunners have been extensively linked with a transfer for Toney to help them win the Premier League.
But, while Arsenal is on the up, Brentford is on the decline, and their recent record suggests they may have to struggle to stay in England’s top flight.
The Bees were hammered 4-1 by Wolves on Wednesday, their sixth Premier League defeat in seven games, and with survival on the line, Frank wants Toney to spearhead their effort to avoid relegation once he returns from his suspension, according to The Sun.
Thomas Frank (left) is desperate to keep Ivan Toney (right) at Brentford this season
According to the article, Frank is hesitant to let Toney go, especially as the club continues to slip into relegation trouble.
While there is still hope that the England striker will remain in west London, Brentford’s technical director Lee Dykes stated earlier this month that he expects ‘plenty of interest’ in the 27-year-old.
Dykes told the club’s media staff that Toney is “one of the top five strikers in the world” and cautioned prospective clubs that they “will have to pay a decent transfer fee.”
‘I am very eager for Ivan to come back because I see him out there in training and he is some player; he seems like he is never left,’ he remarked.
‘He has a lot of ambition, and I can see it in his eyes that he is going to be greater than he is ever been; I honestly believe it.
‘Yes, Ivan will attract a lot of attention in January. Obviously, there should be.
But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.’
Toney’s prolific form last season has also caught the eye of other suitors including Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in desperate need of attacking firepower, and are thought to be prioritising recruitments in forward positions when they enter the market.
Tottenham too could field an interest in the player, with former Spurs legend Teddy Sheringham urging Ange Postecoglou to consider beating their north London rivals to the transfer.
Toney previously appeared to hint at an Arsenal connection when he shared a post on Instagram celebrating Declan Rice’s late winner against Luton, before deleting it amid a flurry of speculation.
