Brentford stance revealed after bombshell Ivan Toney comments on January transfer
Brentford remains steadfast in their reluctance to part ways with striker Ivan Toney this month, according to information obtained by talkSPORT.
Despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, Toney, who expressed his eagerness to join a ‘top club’ following an eight-month betting suspension, is not for sale, as per Brentford’s stance.
The Bees consider Toney a crucial player in their efforts to avoid the relegation battle. Despite facing an eight-month ban and a £50,000 fine for violating Football Association betting rules, Toney is poised to make his season debut.
His suspension concluded this week, just after Brentford’s FA Cup third-round defeat against Wolves. However, Toney will be eligible to play when Brentford faces Nottingham Forest on Saturday, January 20.
The 27-year-old striker has been absent from the field since May 6, when he participated in the 1-0 loss to Liverpool. The timing of his return to Brentford has raised uncertainties, given the striker’s aspirations that appear to surpass the scope of a Bees’ jersey.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, “It’s obvious I’d like to play for a top club, everybody wants to play for the top clubs, fighting for titles and these kinds of things.
“So whether it’s this January for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows? But my main focus is doing what I do on the pitch and let the background work take care of itself.”
Brentford finds themselves in a critical situation, and the presence of Toney in their lineup is now more crucial than ever.
With a string of five consecutive losses in their recent league matches, the team currently holds the unfortunate record for the worst run among all Premier League teams.
Currently positioned in 16th place in the table, Brentford faces a challenging series of matches against formidable opponents such as Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City (twice) before the conclusion of February.
Despite an impressive ninth-place finish last season in only their second Premier League campaign, the team has struggled to replicate those performances.
Toney, who earned his first England call-up in September 2022, showcased his goal-scoring prowess with 20 goals for Brentford last season.
However, the team has managed to score only six more goals than that total in the current season. As Brentford aims to turn their season around, Toney will undoubtedly shoulder a significant workload.
Simultaneously, with his debut for the England national team in March 2023, the striker will be eager to secure a spot in the highly sought-after England squad for the upcoming European Championship later this year.
Brentford stance revealed after bombshell Ivan Toney comments on January transfer