Brentford manager, Thomas Frank has made his stance on transfer rumours linking Ivan Toney away from the club very obvious.
Toney has missed part of last, and all of this season so far due to a ban revolving around gambling issues over many years.
With that being said, it hasn’t stopped the rumour mill and links away from the Bees are as rife as they ever have been.
With Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all having links to the Englishman, could he go in January?
What has Thomas Frank said about Ivan Toney?
These rumours have been persistent for months, even without Toney playing.
The questions in Frank’s press conference were heavily based on the striker and the chances of him leaving the club.
When first asked about the Bees’ talisman, he said: “I don’t know [about January], the only thing I am focusing on is the game tomorrow.”
It is clear that the Danish coach is bored with these questions but is happy to answer them.
Talking further about January, he added: “We prepare transfer windows ahead so of course we are looking at striker and full-back options.
“We are prepared for any position if something should happen.”
With the injury to Kevin Schade, the questions over striker issues are being heightened.
On forward options, Frank said: “I think it is fair to say that if we wanted a striker in this summer we could have, and we got one in Neal Maupay.”
The England international hasn’t played this season but his time in the Premier League has been top-class.
When asked if Toney would play for the club again he quickly replied: “That is too far ahead. I’m not even thinking about that. Ask me when we get closer [to the window].”
The decision is not yet made on his future but from a selfish point of view, Frank is in favour of keeping his striker.
Discussing that point, he said: “As a coach I don’t want to sell him, I want my best players so of course I say don’t sell him.
“Ivan is a world-class player so why would we sell a world-class player? I want him to play here for the rest of his contract.”
Who knows where Toney’s future may lie, it is clear what his manager thinks about him.