Brentford send firm Ivan Toney transfer message to Arsenal after Arteta comments

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has warned Arsenal off Ivan Toney by insisting he wants him to stay beyond the January transfer window. The Gunners are one of a number of clubs interested in signing the banned striker who has been valued at £100million.

Toney hasn’t played since May following his eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting rules. He will be able to strap his boots on again in mid-January but speculation has already started over his future.

The 27-year-old’s contract expires in 2025 and he is said to be keen on a move elsewhere to test himself at the highest level. Arsenal are linked with the forward, as are fellow London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham.

Sky Sports claimed this week that Brentford want £100m to part with the England international. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta addressed those reports at his press conference on Friday when directly asked about interest in Toney.

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He wouldn’t reveal whether Toney is a player he wants to sign but said £100m is a price that is becoming increasingly popular. Arteta said: “I think there’s been an evolution. I think we’ve gone from the 10s, to the 20s, to the 80s, to the 100s and there’s been players who cost £220m, as well, so it’s not as though we are getting used to it.

“It’s something that is happening and is happening more and more often. On other players and other clubs, what we are doing, there is no comment on that.”

Frank held his press conference later in the day and has now given his verdict. He hinted that if Arsenal are spending over £100m on defensive midfielders such as Declan Rice, then Toney is definitely worth that amount.

He also warned Arsenal that Toney is happy at Brentford and he wants him to stay. Frank said: “I do think he is a very good player, as we’ve spoken about.

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“What I’ve said is the No 6 positions have been sold for plus £100m this summer, which is a little bit rare and normally it’s the goalscorers who get those numbers. To have a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, about 20 goals [a season], that’s very valuable.

“Ivan’s skillset in terms of finishing ability with left, right and header, and his composure in those moments, and his link-up play and presence, character, is a very good package. It’s not 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, I’m the coach. I hope [he doesn’t leave in January], I want him to stay. Ivan is happy to stay, he’s happy at the club.

“What happens in the future I think is impossible to guess about. I would like to keep him but they [interested clubs] should probably call Phil [Giles, director of football].”

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