Ivan Toney’s summer transfer saga has taken an unexpected twist that could see him remain with current club Brentford.
Toney, 28, has been strongly linked with a move away from the Premier League club, with the striker entering the final year of his current contract.
Toney scored 21 goals in 35 appearances in the 2022/23 season and was expected to kick on in the last campaign.
But he was sidelined for a large part of last season after being made to serve an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.
Toney returned to action for the second half of the campaign, scoring four goals in 17 games to earn a spot in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
He made an impact with a series of substitute appearances later on in the tournament as England finished runners-up to Spain.
Previously in January, Toney fuelled rumours he could leave Brentford by saying he wanted to play for a “top club”.
“You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club,” he said.
“Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”
Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked with a move for Toney but his chances of a dream transfer have now taken a hit, following an injury to fellow Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
In February, Brentford confirmed the £30m signing of Thiago from Club Brugge, with the Brazilian joining as a potential replacement for Toney.
But the Bees have now announced that the forward will be out of action for the first half of the season after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
“Thiago suffered a meniscus injury during the Bees’ 5-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon on 20 July, which has been repaired,” read a club statement.
“The striker will now begin a period of recovery and rehabilitation and is expected to return towards the end of the year.”
Thiago’s injury dents Toney’s chances of securing a move away from Brentford this summer.
Meanwhile, Bees boss Thomas Frank remains hopeful the player could yet stay for another season, even if that allows him to leave on a free transfer next summer.
