Brentford manager Thomas Frank says he expects Arsenal target Ivan Toney to be sold at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old will reach the final year of his contract with the Bees in June and the summer transfer window will be the last opportunity for the club to sell. Speaking about the striker’s future, Frank said:
“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer. We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.”
“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team. This winter we actually had no offers for him, but it will surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs that will be interested in him.”
Fans on X would back a move to sign Toney, who has proven himself to be a top Premier League striker after scoring 20 last season:
He's coming to Arsenal
— The mandevu (@ze_mandevu) February 7, 2024
Arsenal pls sign him
— IK CRYPT 🛠 (@Ikcrypt) February 7, 2024
Let’s go Arsenal, GET HIM!!!!!
— Fizzle (@Fizzlepunt) February 7, 2024
Arsenal Get himmmmmmm fr😡😡 he will surely smashhhhhhhh the seasonnnnnnnnn😘
— Ali Imtinan (@ali_imtinan14) February 7, 2024
Come on Arsenal! Get him if you can't afford Victor Osimhen. He will surely give you 20 goals a season
— Hammad Raza (@hammadraza1214) February 7, 2024
Arsenal can you hear?
— 𝓙𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮 💙❤️ (@_unofficial001) February 7, 2024
@Arsenal here we go
— Abby (@_Abbiee) February 7, 2024
How much would Toney cost?
During the January transfer window, it was reported that Brentford were demanding between £80m and £100m for the England international.
However, they won’t be able to ask for that much in the summer. A similar situation could play out to what happened with David Raya. The Bees wanted £40m before eventually relenting and allowing him to join the Gunners for £30m (loan fee and purchase option included).
Arsenal will face competition for the player
One additional complication that may inflate Toney’s price tag is the number of other clubs interested in signing the forward.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United are also known to be keeping tabs on him and, if they do get involved, Arsenal may find themselves in the middle of a bidding war.
