Thomas Frank says Brentford would be open to selling Chelsea target Ivan Toney ‘if the price is right’

Thomas Frank believes Ivan Toney is one of the best strikers in the world (Getty)

Thomas Frank admits Brentford would be open to selling Chelsea target Ivan Toney in the January transfer window ‘if the right price is there’.

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Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season but is currently serving an eight-month ban after he accepted 232 breaches of the Football Association’s rules on betting.

The 27-year-old returned to training with Brentford on Monday but is unavailable to play until January 16, 2024.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are considering a move for Toney as they look to provide a another boost to Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking options in the January window.

And Frank believes Brentford would be open to a deal if Chelsea meet their asking price.

‘So far we’ve only sold one in the Premier League, that was David Raya – or that’s a loan but probably will be a sale in the future, I guess,’ Frank said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

‘I think every club in the world are a selling club except five or six clubs. We are a selling club, if the right price is there.

‘I think if it’s the right time for the player to go, from my perspective that’s not my decision that would be Phil [Giles, director of football] or Matthew [Benham, Brentford’s owner] in the end, then I think if they have developed well with us, been on the journey, and now they’re proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if it’s the right price.’

Ivan Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season (Getty)

Asked if that applies to Toney, Frank replied: ‘Yeah, I think so. I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him.

‘For me he’s one of the best strikers, as a striker No.9, I don’t see many out there who is better in the world than him, of course you have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these types, but not many.

‘He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year, in, of course, a very good Brentford side but of course we are not creating as many chances as the top six or seven teams.

‘So imagine him in a top team, he’d easily score 20, 25 goals, for me. I think he’s composed, he’s a good finisher, top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.

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‘But he’s a Brentford player now, and if people want to come… in today’s market, the price for No.6 position players, we all know goalscorer or attackers are the most expensive ones. I guess that would be very expensive, unless it has changed and you pay more for a No.6 than a striker, I don’t know.’

Asked if he expects to receive offers for Toney in January, Frank replied: ‘Yeah, again, I’m just focusing on him.

‘I had a long meeting with him today, first day back in training so good to have him in. We just presented the plan for him and try to create the Ivan Toney 2.0, the beast, he’s on board and he’s looking forward to it.’

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