Only a “unbelievable” offer, according to Brentford manager Thomas Frank, would convince the team to contemplate moving England striker Ivan Toney during the January transfer window.
Toney, who is scheduled to make his comeback from a betting ban in Brentford’s upcoming Premier League encounter against Nottingham Forest on January 20, has been linked to Arsenal and Chelsea.
Prior to Friday’s FA Cup third-round matchup with Wolves, however, Frank voiced his optimism that the 27-year-old will remain at Brentford once the transfer window closes.
“The very short answer is yes,” Frank said on Thursday when quizzed about Toney’s future.
“He is a Brentford player, he is here, we miss a few offensive players, and I cannot see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time.
“It is not for me to discuss (an offer), but if I could ever recommend one, it would need to be an unbelievable price, so he will stay here.”
Brentford, who finished the season with 21 goals, will be itching to have Toney back after five straight losses that left them only four points above the relegation zone.
The striker has not yet played this season after receiving an eight-month football ban in May for violating betting regulations.
Frank is going to take a vacation from Brentford’s league woes when he concentrates on the FA Cup home match against Wolves.
“We are clearly in a sticky patch and a spell we would like to get out of as quickly as possible,” said Frank.
“It happens every year, and to every team anywhere in the world.
“Hopefully it is only the one spell we will have this year, and we are in it now, and we will get through it as quickly as possible.”