Thomas Frank expects Ivan Toney to be a Brentford player upon the conclusion of the January transfer window, despite reported interest in the striker from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Brentford have been without Toney this season after he was given an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s gambling rules in May, with that suspension due to run until January 16.
Only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) bettered Toney’s return of 20 Premier League goals last season, with his club exploits earning him an England debut in March.
Read our other football news stories here:
West Ham vs Manchester United Preview
Silva welcomes ‘important’ Welch appointment
Edwards: ‘Too early to tell’ if Lockyer will play again
With Toney scheduled to return to action midway through the January transfer window, some have speculated as to whether he has already played his final game for the Bees, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs linked with a move for the striker.
Frank, however, does not foresee the 27-year-old going anywhere.
“Ivan Toney is looking good and it’s very good to have him getting closer,” Frank said on Friday. “We’re all looking forward to having him in the team again and he’s looking forward to it.
“He is a Brentford player right now and I expect him to be a Brentford player in the spring.”
????
“I would love to give [three points] to the fans. They are always behind us. They are fantastic and we know we are very, very good at home, especially under the floodlights. We’d love to give them a late Christmas present” pic.twitter.com/yOafyXPORD
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 22, 2023
Due to Manchester City’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, Brentford are not in action on the final Premier League matchday before Christmas.
The Bees’ next game will be at home to Wolves on December 27, allowing Frank and his players to enjoy the festive season with their families.
“It’s a different one compared to my previous Christmases in England,” Frank said. “It’s a more quiet one so we’ve planned training around it.
“We’ve done some 11 versus 11 and ensured the players have the right load and intensity. We will be off on December 25 so there’ll be some happy families.”
