Man Utd, Chelsea and Newcastle get Caicedo warning over Toney transfer

Robin Bairner

19 Sept 2023 08:09 BST
3 min read

Ivan Toney, Brentford, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Brentford striker Ivan Toney could be available during the January transfer window, according to Bees boss Thomas Frank – but he has said that the forward will only leave for a huge fee.

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Toney is presently sidelined by a betting ban, but that has not stopped the 27-year-old being linked with a string of major clubs.

Manchester United and Chelsea are understood to be in the market for the centre-forward, while FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that Newcastle are also watching the player with an eye on making him a replacement for Callum Wilson, whose deal is up next summer.

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Toney, though, could well be on his way before then, but Frank says that summer fees for Moises Caicedo, who moved to Chelsea for €116 million, and Declan Rice, who moved to Arsenal for €117m, have set the standard.

“I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him. For me, I think he’s one of the best strikers. As a No 9, I don’t see many out there in the world who are better,” he told Sky Sports.

“Of course we have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandoski, [Erling] Haaland and these types. But not many scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year, in of course a very good Brentford side, but one which is not creating as many chances as the top six or seven teams.

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“So, imagine him in a top team. He could easily score 20, 25 goals. I think he’s composed, a good finisher, a top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.

“But he’s a Brentford player now. And with today’s market and the prices for No.6 position players, when we all know goalscorers and strikers are the most expensive ones, I guess that would be very expensive - unless it’s changed that you pay more for a No.6 than a striker.”

Toney 2.0 to be a beast

Frank has revealed that he spoke to Toney on Monday – and the aim to get the player back stronger than ever.

“I’ve just had a long meeting with him today, his fist day back at training. We just presented the plan to him, trying to create Ivan Toney version 2.0, the beast. He’s on board and he’s looking forward to it,” he said.

Toney is out of action due to his ban until January.