LONDON – Brentford striker Ivan Toney declared himself “free” on Jan 17 after ending an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of the betting rules, and then fuelled transfer speculation by saying he wanted to play for a top club.
The 27-year-old, the club’s top scorer last season, posted a GIF on social media with the single word “free”.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he spoke of his future ambitions.
“You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club,” said the player, who is widely seen as an Arsenal and Chelsea target.
“Everybody wants to play for a top club that are fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”
Toney’s comments contrasted with an interview last week in which he thanked Brentford, a community club holding their own against English Premier League giants, for being so supportive and said he was ready to repay them with goals to ease a relegation battle.
The West Londoners are 16th in the league, three points clear of the drop zone, and in need of more firepower as they grapple with absences and injuries.
Toney, who also hopes to be included in England’s Euro 2024 squad, said his main job would be to do his talking on the pitch and “let the background work take care of itself”.
“To be the best, you have to play with the best and compete against the best,” added the striker, who is expected to make his return against Nottingham Forest in front of his home fans on Jan 20.
“I feel like a free man. A massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t wait to get back to enjoying playing football again this Saturday. It’s a big day today but an even bigger day on Saturday.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said before the FA Cup third-round replay loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Jan 16 that Toney “will be absolutely on it and ready for Saturday” and hoped to keep him at least until the end of the season.
“We’ve done everything we can to help him through this. We’d like to keep him, but we know how football is,” he said.
Toney’s last competitive match was Brentford’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool on May 6, but he has been allowed to train with his teammates since September.
As for his off-field issues, he was diagnosed as a gambling addict, but is confident he has beaten the habit.
“It’s sorted out now,” he said. “I’ll focus on doing the right thing. I’ll do none of that rubbish now, it’s all good.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur’s Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilon has joined Brentford on loan until the end of the season after failing to impress at Manchester United.
He joined United on loan in September and made 12 appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side. REUTERS, AFP
