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Thomas Frank plays down January exit for Arsenal-linked Ivan Toney

Frank plays down January exit for Arsenal-linked Toney
© Reuters
Brentford boss Thomas Frank again plays down suggestions that Ivan Toney could leave the club this month amid interest from Arsenal.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has again played down suggestions that Ivan Toney could leave the club during the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old's eight-month suspension for breaching Football Association betting regulations will come to an end this month, with the striker bidding to be involved in Brentford's Premier League contest with Nottingham Forest on January 20.

Toney scored 21 goals and registered five assists in 35 appearances for the Bees last season, with 20 of those strikes coming in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, the Englishman has managed 68 goals and 21 assists in 124 appearances for his current side since making the move from Peterborough United in 2020.

Arsenal continue to be heavily linked with the forward, although it has been suggested that Brentford would want as much as £100m to sell him this month.

Brentford forward Ivan Toney celebrates scoring against Newcastle United on April 8, 2023© Reuters

According to FootballTransfers, Toney is hoping that he will be given the chance to make the move to the Emirates Stadium before the end of the winter market.

However, Arsenal, who have lost their last two Premier League games, are allegedly not prepared to pay anywhere near Brentford's current asking price.

Frank was again questioned on Toney's future during his press conference to preview Friday's FA Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the head coach said that he is expecting the striker to stay at the club.

Meanwhile, he added that the club should only consider an "unbelievable" offer for Toney, who has also been linked with a mid-season switch to Chelsea.

Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their first goal on February 11, 2023© Reuters

"He's a Brentford player, he's here. Clearly, we have missed a few offensive players and I can't see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time," Frank told reporters.

"If I could ever, ever, ever recommend something, and it's not for me to say 'yes' or 'no', that's up to Phil [Giles] and Matthew [Benham], I would say it needs to be an unbelievable price."

Arsenal have not been victorious in the Premier League since a 2-0 success at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on December 17, picking up just one point from their last three outings in England's top flight.

Mikel Arteta's side will take on Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon before returning to league action at home to Crystal Palace on January 20.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their first goal with Bryan Mbeumo on November 12, 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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