Ivan Toney plan revealed as Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target eyes Brentford return
Ivan Toney has not featured for Brentford since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on May 6 but is due to play a behind-closed-doors friendly as the 27-year-old looks to increase his fitness
Ivan Toney is reportedly set to make his Brentford return tonight in a behind-closed-doors friendly. The 27-year-old is currently serving an eight-month suspension for breaching betting regulations 232 times.
Having previously not been allowed to train by the FA, he returned to the Bees’ setup on September 18. The Athletic are claiming Toney will feature in a behind-closed-doors game this afternoon as part of a 16-week plan to get him match fit.
As it stands, the striker is banned from official competition until January 17. That means Toney’s first game back should be against Tottenham Hotspur on January 30, which takes place after the Premier League’s two-week winter break.
Toney has been a hot transfer topic despite his absence, with both Arsenal and Chelsea heavily linked. The two London clubs have lacked a ruthless number nine in the opening stages of the campaign.
Previous reports have suggested Brentford may be willing to do business for around £70million. With 18 months remaining on his contract, January could be the final time the Bees can optimise a maximum return on their £6million investment.
Speaking to reporters recently, manager Thomas Frank admitted he wants to keep Toney but the decision is ultimately out of his hands. Brentford have won just one game this season in their star striker’s absence.
“I don’t want to sell him,” Frank said. “He is a fantastic player. He has been so good for us and scored a lot of goals. I just want to keep him for the rest of his contract.
“It’s up to Phil (Giles, director of football) and Matthew (Benham, Brentford’s owner) to take that decision. I hope he will still play games for us.”
