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Thomas Frank has told Arsenal what they must do to sign Ivan Toney ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham.
The Mirror claimed on Sunday that Toney is ready to leave Brentford in January, just a week after returning from his FA betting ban.
The Brentford forward only returned to first-team training last Monday after being hit with an eight-month suspension from all football activity for breaching FA betting regulations.
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Yet the England striker allegedly outlined his desire to depart Brentford in January, provided the club’s £60million valuation is met. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be interested in the 27-year-old, who is due to enter the final 18 months of his deal in January.
Speaking on Monday Night Football earlier this month, Brentford boss Frank was stoic about the prospect of losing Toney.
He insisted that Toney would be available provided the price was right.
Frank said: “I think every club in the world are a selling club apart from five or six clubs. We are a selling club - if the right price is there and I think it’s the right time for the players to go.
“I think if they have developed well with us and been on the journey, and now they’ve proven good enough to go to one of the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing if it’s the right price.
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When asked if that would apply to Ivan Toney, Frank said: “Yes. I think so. I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him. For me, I think he’s one of the best strikers - as a No.9 I don’t see many out there that are better in the world than him.
“Of course, there’s [Harry Kane], [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these types. But there aren’t many others.
“He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year in a very good Brentford side, but of course, we are not creating as many chances as a top-six team. So imagine him in a top team. He would easily score 20 to 25 goals.
“I think he’s composed, I think he’s a good finisher, he has a top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.”
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“But he’s a Brentford player now, and in today’s market - given the price of No.6’s, we all know that attackers are the most expensive players, I guess he would be very expensive.”
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Featured Image Credit: Getty/Football DailyTopics: Ivan Toney, Brentford, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur