Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s squad for their Premier League opener, with manager Thomas Frank saying speculation about a possible move for the England forward was a major factor behind the decision.
Brentford striker Toney has been linked with moves to several English clubs this summer as well as a switch to the Saudi Pro League.
Speaking before his side’s match with Crystal Palace on Sunday, Frank told Sky Sports: “There are a lot of things going on with Ivan [Toney], especially with transfers, there’s a lot of transfer interest.
“Because of all that, we’ve decided not to include him in the squad.”
Asked if Toney has already played his last match for Brentford, Frank said: “Who knows? There is interest, it’s not close.”
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Frank said Toney was available for the Palace game and was hopeful he would stay at the club.
“The fresh news is he [Toney] trained with a fresh smile, looked sharp, good attitude, he’s available for Sunday,” he said.
“As long as I have Ivan I am very happy and that’s hopefully for another year because he’s a fantastic player.
“We know there’s speculation and back and forths but let’s just enjoy the moment and let’s look one day ahead and see what happens.”
The 28-year-old has scored 67 league goals in 128 games since joining Brentford from Peterborough United in 2020.
Toney returned to action in January after he was was banned for eight months for breaking Football Association (FA) betting rules – including betting against his own team.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said Brentford “won’t be surprised” by the transfer speculation.
“Do they think they can survive without Ivan Toney? The decision today suggests that yes, they think they can,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“They are at the stage where they are thinking, ‘Go on, make us an offer then.'”
Ex-England striker Ellen White added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Not to be brutal but if Brentford get the money for Ivan Toney and go on to stay up this season then they are laughing aren’t they?
“He would be a huge miss but he is in the last year of his contract so he would essentially go on a free next summer.”
