Brentford have left star striker Ivan Toney out of today’s Premier League matchday squad for the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace, with Bees manager Thomas Frank confirming it’s related to a transfer, even if a deal is not done yet.
Toney has been a top performer for Brentford in recent years and it perhaps makes sense that he’s now attracting interest due to the fact that he has just a year left on his contract with his current club.
According to the Independent, top clubs like Chelsea are still considering Toney, and could move for the England international late on this summer, with a possible loan move with the obligation to buy.
Meanwhile, Frank has now spoken about Toney’s absence today, which will surely fuel speculation about where the 28-year-old could be moving next…
?? Thomas Frank to Sky on Ivan Toney. "A lot of things are going on with Ivan. There is some transfer interest and so we decided not to involve him in the squad. I can't give too much away… There is interest, but a deal is not closed." https://t.co/a0mtrFSSt3
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 18, 2024
Toney could surely be a fine signing for Chelsea or other top clubs, though it’s also fair to say that the Blues perhaps seem more likely to stick with their recent policy of signing young players.
If some of their other targets aren’t available, however, they’d surely do well to at least consider Toney as an alternative, who could be an ideal short-term fix to give them more of a goal threat without hindering the development of Nicolas Jackson in the long run.
Fabrizio Romano recently also revealed that Toney could have Saudi Arabia as an option.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column, Romano said: “Ivan Toney has the possibility to move to the Saudi Pro League. Al Ahli have had an interest since December but he’s not the only candidate – there are four or five strikers on their list after Richarlison deal off.
“It’s up to Toney now, the player has to decide what he wants to do with his agents and family, and nothing is decided yet.”