Chelsea & Arsenal dealt blow as transfer target is 'happy to stay'
Cameron Smith
- 3 Nov 2023 22:07 GMT
- 3 min read
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has insisted that Ivan Toney is “happy” at the club, despite heavy links with a January exit.
The Englishman is currently suspended after breaching betting rules on over 200 occasions, but he will be able to return to action in January.
As a result, links with a Brentford departure have picked up speed in recent weeks, with Arsenal and Chelsea credited with the most interest.
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The latter are also chasing Victor Osimhen, while Toney appears to be Arsenal’s main focus as they search for a new number nine.
However, Frank has shut down rumours of Toney leaving in a blow to both Arsenal and Chelsea’s hopes of signing him.
“He [Toney] is happy at the club,” the Brentford boss told the media on Friday. “I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay. He's happy at the club. What happens in the future is impossible to guess about.
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“Ivan's skill set in terms of finishing, composure in those moments, link-up play, presence, character.
“He is a very good package. It's not for me to put a price tag on him, it is down to the club. I'm happy with him and I hope he plays here forever.”
Toney scored 20 goals and provided four assists in 33 Premier League games as Brentford finished ninth last season, and that form has generated significant transfer hype. The Bees will demand in excess of €80 million if they are to allow Toney to leave, as per reports.
Man Utd move away from Toney
According to TEAMTalk’s Dean Jones, Manchester United are “likely” to pull out of the race to sign Toney, leaving Arsenal and Chelsea to battle it out for the Brentford man.
Instead, Man Utd have identified four separate targets to become a back-up option to Rasmus Hojlund. They are: Mehdi Taremi, Wissam Ben Yedder, Gabriel Barbosa and Marcos Leonardo.
