Brentford will be without their star player, Ivan Toney, until January 2024. The clinical striker was suspended for gambling and will be unavailable for the first half of the 2023-2024 Premier League season. After scoring 20 goals in the league last season, it is likely some top clubs would’ve held strong in signing Toney, but his suspension has halted any of that talk. With the player returning at the turn of the year, Chelsea, among others, are eyeing a winter move for the Englishmen.
As first reported by the Daily Mail, Ivan Toney has switched agencies, joining up with CAA Stellar. The likes of Jack Grealish, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse are all represented by the agency. The move likely comes as Toney looks to make a move away from Brentford, and a trio of teams have been identified as suitors. The Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel states that Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all keeping an eye on the player’s situation as he becomes eligible to play again on January 17th.
Between the three clubs, really only Tottenham look like they are absolutely crying out for a striker. With Harry Kane departing to Bayern Munich, Richarlison is looking to step up under Ange Postecoglou, but he is yet to do so through three matches. Manchester United have only signed Rasmus Hojlund this summer, but adding another top striker could permanently push Marcus Rashford into his preferred left-wing spot. Chelsea have signed Nicolas Jackson at what looks to be a bargain price, but Mauricio Pochettino will likely want greater competition at the number nine spot.
Daily Mail believes Brentford would want at least £80m for Ivan Toney. The Bees have yet to replace Toney for this window, and it remains to be seen if they will even do so. Winger Yoane Wissa has been pushed into the centre-forward role and has already netted twice in three games.