Thomas Frank has told Ivan Toney he would ‘love’ him to stay at Brentford for at least one more season and warned his potential suitors he will be ‘expensive’ this summer.
Toney was expected to leave the west London club after Brentford completed a club-record £30m deal for Brazilian striker Igor Thiago.
England international Toney, who featured for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, has entered the final year of his contract at Brentford and has repeatedly hinted he wants to join a bigger club.
Brentford hoped to attract offers worth £70m for Toney but they are now looking for around £50m due to a lack of substantial interest in the striker.
Despite some clubs going cold on Toney, Bees boss Frank insists the 28-year-old will not go cheaply if he is sold this summer, though he insists he hopes it does not come to that.
Asked if Toney is likely to leave Brentford in the coming weeks, Frank told Sky Sports: ‘You never know.
‘He’s a Brentford player and I would love him to stay. That would give me a very positive challenge.
‘But I haven’t met a coach who doesn’t want as many good players as possible. Right now, Ivan is a Brentford player.’
Pressed on whether he was aware of any offers for Toney, Frank added: ‘I know he’s a Brentford player. I know he’s enjoying his well-deserved time off after his time with England.
‘I would be more than happy if he stayed with us. He’s a goalscorer and that’s very good to have in your team so if you want to buy him, it’s expensive.’
New Brentford striker Thiago scored twice as the Bees beat Wimbledon 5-2 in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
Toney was not involved after contributing to England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. He made an assist in the last-16 win over Slovakia and scored a penalty in the shootout against Switzerland.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with Toney in recent months but all three clubs appear to be currently prioritising other targets.
That has left Tottenham and West Ham as the two most likely clubs to launch moves for Toney, who has scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford.
While Toney has been a great servant for Brentford, he did miss eight months of football last season after being banned for breaches of FA betting rules.
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