'If it's the right price' - Chelsea sent Ivan Toney transfer message as Thomas Frank claims banned Brentford star is 'one of the best strikers' in the world

The Blues remain in the market for a proven No.9 despite splashing out £1 billion ($1.2bn) on new recruits across the last three windows. There have been suggestions that a move for Toney could be made at some stage – once the England international has completed his eight-month ban for breaches of FA betting regulations.

Brentford would be reluctant sellers – with Manchester United and Tottenham also being linked with their talismanic frontman – but Bees boss Thomas Frank accepts that money talks. He has told Sky Sports: “So far we’ve only sold one in the Premier League, that was David Raya [to Arsenal] – or that’s a loan but probably will be a sale in the future, I guess. I think every club in the world are a selling club except five or six clubs. We are a selling club, if the right price is there. I think if it’s the right time for the player to go, from my perspective that’s not my decision that would be Phil [Giles, director of football] or Matthew [Benham, owner] in the end, then I think if they have developed well with us, been on the journey, and now they’re proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if it’s the right price.”

Frank added when asked if Toney – who hit 20 goals last season – would be among those available if a suitable offer was tabled: “Yeah, I think so. I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him. For me he’s one of the best strikers, as a striker No.9, I don’t see many out there who is better in the world than him, of course you have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these types, but not many. He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year, in, of course, a very good Brentford side but of course we are not creating as many chances as the top six or seven teams. So imagine him in a top team, he’d easily score 20, 25 goals, for me. I think he’s composed, he’s a good finisher, top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.”

Toney, who will be free to resume his playing career in January 2024, joined Brentford in 2020 and has hit 68 goals for them through 124 appearances.