Thomas Frank has revealed how much it could cost to sign Ivan Toney this summer. The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea ahead of the upcoming transfer window following his impressive performances for Brentford.
Toney, who sees his deal with the Bees expire in 2025, has featured 33 times for Frank's side in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards 24 goals. His impressive performances – which have seen him rubs shoulders with likes of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the golden boot race – have reportedly courted the interest of numerous top clubs.
Ahead of Brentford's clash against West Ham at the weekend, Frank was asked how much Toney could be worth and he compared the England international to Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. The Bees head coach said: "£100m-plus? I love Ivan and it’s fantastic what he has achieved here, and there is more for him to achieve here.
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"I’m really happy he is a Brentford player. There are some players every time they come up to one level, they kick on and continue. He did well in League One, then the Championship, first year [in the Premier League] 12 goals, now he is on 20 and hopefully getting more. What is the limit?
"He has a very good potential. I know he is not 22, but look at some of the best strikers in the world: [Robert] Lewandowski, [Karim] Benzema. It’s like good wine; they just keep getting better.
"What would you pay for a striker that guarantees you 20-plus goals? And this is 20 goals for a mid-table club. What can he do in a bigger club?"
With Chelsea in desperate need of striker, Todd Boehly has been told that Toney can emulate the success of Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge. Speaking on the 'The Hard Truth' podcast last year, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: "Ivan Toney is Chelsea's Drogba, I'm telling you right now.
"Remember what type of player Drogba was, look at Toney, the physicality, leading the line, and giving defenders nightmares. Everything about him, big goals at big moments, a leader and a match-winner.
"I don't think a lot of clubs have £100million to spend in January. The only one would be Chelsea if Todd Boehly has any sense with his people. It's really funny because we tried to sell him, Brighton, when Graham Potter was there. We had Barry Fry try and contact the owner, but he was out in Australia.
"I know he wasn't a happy man because when he got back, he had missed calls off Baz, and nobody at the time said to him he had missed calls, and I know they feel they missed out on one. I think if Ivan Toney went into the Chelsea team, they could battle with Man City. Get Toney to Chelsea, and they would win the title in the next two years."
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