Ivan Toney is left OUT of Brentford’s squad to play Crystal Palace – as Thomas Frank admits star striker’s omission is due to uncertainty over his future amid Saudi interest
Ivan Toney has been left out of Thomas Frank’s squad for Brentford’s opening Premier League clash against Crystal Palace later today.
Frank confirmed that Toney’s absence from the squad was due to uncertainty over his future at the club.
Frank said before the match: ‘A lot is happening with Ivan. There is some interest in a transfer and that is why we have decided not to include him in the selection.’
The Brentford manager, who kept his cards under wraps, added: ‘I can’t give too much away… There is interest but a deal has not been done yet.’
Toney is set to leave the Bees this summer, but no deal has been struck with Brentford yet, although several parties are interested.
Ivan Toney has been left out of Thomas Frank’s squad for Brentford’s opening Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace later today
The striker, who is valued at £60million, is wanted by Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia and the club are reportedly willing to offer him a three-year contract.
If Toney moves to Al Ahli, he will join the likes of Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino in Saudi Arabia.
Should the Al Ahli deal not go through, Toney has made it clear he still wants to leave Brentford, but he has just over two weeks to conclude a deal.
Toney hopes that wherever he ends up he can continue his career. He started at Northampton Town and moved to Newcastle United in 2015.
However, he struggled to break into Newcastle’s first team and was loaned out to several lower division clubs in order to gain more playing time.
His breakthrough came at Peterborough United, where he became a prolific goalscorer, earning him a move to Brentford in 2020.
At Brentford, Toney excelled, breaking the Championship’s single-season goalscoring record and helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League.
He continued his impressive form in England’s top flight, cementing his reputation as one of England’s most clinical strikers.
However, Toney’s career suffered a setback in 2023 when he was handed an eight-month ban after being found guilty of breaching the English Football Association’s betting regulations.
The 28-year-old was charged with 232 gambling offences between 2017 and 2021, during his time at various clubs.
Toney admitted most of the offences, leading to his suspension from the sport and a £50,000 fine.
More to come…