Thomas Frank wants striker Ivan Toney to stay at Brentford “forever” but did not rule out his departure in January.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been linked strongly with a move away from the club in recent months. Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing him, who has been valued at, £100million by Brentford.
The 27-year-old Toney will be available again on January 17 after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
Frank: It’s not up to me to put a price tag on Toney
Ahead of the match against West Ham on Saturday, Frank said he hopes Toney remains at Brentford, but he can not predict the future.
“I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay.
“He is happy at the club. What happens in the future is impossible to guess about.
“He’s a top player, one of our most important players, if not the most important last year. Any player that can score 20-plus goals in the Premier League are very, very important.
“Ivan’s skillset in terms of finishing abilities with his left and right (foot), heading and his composure in those moments and his link-up play and his presence, character, is a very good package.
“It’s not (up to) me to put a price tag on him, it’s down to the club. But I’m happy with him, I hope he plays here forever and I’m the coach.”
After two consecutive wins against Burnley and Chelsea, Brentford will face West Ham on Saturday. Brentford have beaten West Ham in all four of their Premier League meetings.
But Frank added: “West Ham are a very good side with a very good and experienced manager (in David Moyes).
“They’ve had a good start to the season, they top their group in the Europa League and are in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
“They are a strong opponent but we trust ourselves and believe and if we top perform, we have a good chance of winning.”
