Thomas Frank insists he is not ‘desperate’ to keep Ivan Toney (Picture: Getty)
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has fired a fresh message to Arsenal over their interest in signing Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.
Toney is set to make is return to football in January after serving his eight-month ban for breaking the Football Association’s rules on betting.
The striker, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season, has been linked to both Arsenal and Chelsea in the upcoming window, with many feeling that the Gunners need a new forward if they are to secure the top-flight title.
Toney has dropped hints that Arsenal would be his preferred destination should he leave Brentford but a move to the Emirates is thought to be unlikely.
Frank, quizzed about the possibility of Toney moving to the Emirates, said on Friday: ‘I don’t know about that. You’ll have to ask Arsenal.
‘As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player. No bids. I want to keep him and he’s looking forward to playing for us.’
Frank cannot wait to have Toney back from his long suspension and added: ‘To get Ivan back will be like signing an unbelievably good striker, who is proven in the Premier League.
Ivan Toney scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season (Picture: Getty)
‘Of course we are looking forward to that. Ivan is training very well, on and off the pitch, and looking forward to finally contributing to the team.
‘I see at least the same determination and willpower to want to train well and be ready to play – maybe a tiny bit more in terms of wanting to come back and be at his best. It’s good, only positive.
‘Am I desperate to keep him? Desperate is a big word. I’d really, really like to keep him. I’m a head coach. I’d love to have my best players with me all the time.
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‘So from my perspective, I don’t want to sell him. That’s me, because he is fantastic. Last year three players scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League and he was one of them.
‘So obviously he is an important player for us and we are just enjoying him every day and looking forward to when we can use him.’
Brentford lost 4-1 to Wolves last time out and return to action on Saturday with a trip to Crystal Palace.
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