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Tom OlverPublished Apr 11, 2024, 8:39am|Updated Apr 11, 2024, 8:40am
Brentford have drastically lowered their asking price for Ivan Toney ahead of the summer transfer window, with their star man out of contract in 2025.
Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Toney has established himself as one of the most lethal and sought-after strikers in English football.
After missing the start of the campaign through suspension for breaching betting rules, the 28-year-old has scored four goals in 13 games and forced his way back into Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
However, there remains uncertainty over Toney’s future and Arsenal and Chelsea were credited with a strong interest in the forward in January, with both teams in the market for a proven goalscorer.
And while Toney stayed put when the transfer window closed, Brentford’s two London rivals are expected to renew their attempts to lure the England international away from the Gtech Community Stadium at the end of the season.
Manchester United and West Ham are also keeping tabs on Toney and could join Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for the attacker, who is soon to enter into the final 12 months of his contract.
Given Toney could leave on a free transfer in 2025, Brentford are resigned to losing the forward in the summer and have slapped a £30-40million price tag on their prized possession, according to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg.
Arsenal struck a £45m deal with Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus in 2022, with the Brazilian in the final year of his contract at the Etihad, and the Gunners could use that transfer as a blueprint with Brentford and Toney this summer.
In February, Brentford completed a deal for Club Brugge’s Igor Thiago, who the club view as a potential long-term replacement for Toney up front, with Thomas Frank tellingly describing the Brazilian as a ‘key player for a key position’.
Thiago will see out the remainder of the season with Club Brugge before joining up with his new team-mates in west London for pre-season in July.
The 22-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 23 games for Club Brugge, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Bees.
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet back in February, Brentford head coach Frank admitted it was likely Toney’s final season with the club and the ‘really skilled’ striker would ‘probably be sold’.
‘It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,’ Frank said.
‘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.’
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