Ivan Toney will be one of the big names to follow during the summer transfer window.
The England striker is expected to leave Brentford as manager Thomas Frank also confirmed in the last hours, the plan is clear: after difficult months with recent ban, Toney was open to stay at Brentford until the end of the season to return in good conditions, back to business with goals and excellent performances. But then, in the summer it will be time to look for new opportunity.
Toney appointed CAA Stellar, one of the biggest agencies in the world, just some months ago; it was clearly part of his main project to look for new top club to join in the summer after accepting the difficulties of the January transfer window where no big clubs had the chance to go and negotiate with Brentford.
Sources suggest that the Bees were initially open to discuss around £60/65m fee around October, then in November when they saw how fast the situation changed around Europe with no top strikers available... they decided to ask fee close to £100m to let Ivan Toney leave in January. It was basically impossible to make it happen due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.
In June or July, it will be different. We should keep an eye on Arsenal and Chelsea again as both clubs will be on the market for new striker; the big dream is Victor Osimhen, but Toney will be available for less money and with one year left on his contract, it could be an opportunity to follow in the next months for both London sides.
Or maybe... three, as Tottenham are still exploring the market; they decided to look for different kind of players upfront in terms of skills, but there's still long way to go and we can't rule anything out, same for Manchester United.
In order to understand United strategies, it will be crucial to see who's gonna be appointed as new director of football and what's gonna be the strategy before calling Toney a concrete target.
Some sources suggest that Ivan would like to be part of Arteta's project at Arsenal, but this doesn't mean that Gunners are the only solution for him; the race is very much open.
Chelsea had different priorities in January, a lot will depend on the next step for Victor Osimhen in order to understand Toney's future. For sure, it will take time; it's not something close or imminent at this stage.
In January 2023, some Italian club also approached player's camp to ask for deal conditions; AS Roma before signing Lukaku and also Napoli anticipating potential crazy summer bids for Osimhen, but then nothing happened... and now sources see the Premier League as the most concrete, expected destination for Toney, staying in England but moving to super top club.
His focus is now on Brentford, respecting the club and doing his best to help until the end of the season. Then, it will be time to go... we'll see where!
