Toney left out by Brentford amid ‘transfer rumours’
Ivan Toney wanted to play for Brentford against Crystal Palace but was left out of their 2-1 win ahead of a potential bigmoney move away.
The England striker looks to haveplayedhislastgameforthe Bees, with boss Thomas Frank revealing his absence was due to “transfer interest”.
Toneyhasbeenheavilylinked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al-ahli and the Bees, keen to pocket a potential £60 million windfall rather than lose the 28-year-old for nothing next summer, opted to leave him out.
Fortunately for Frank, Brybundledinawinner14minutes an Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa again filled the void, as they did last season during Toney’s ban for breaking betting rules, as they fired Brentford to victory.
“There are various things going on with Ivan with transfer rumours and activity and because of all that we decided nottoincludehiminthesquad,” said Frank. “That (decision) was made on Thursday. We thought it was the best thing. Ivan always wants to play.”
Pressed on whether the interest was from a Saudi club, an English club or more than one club, Frank replied: “You never know.”
Mbeumo opened the scoring in the first half and, although Ethan Pinnock’s own goal hauled Palace level, Wissa from time.
Palace were left fuming, however, after referee Sam Barratt controversially disallowed what would have been the opening goal from Eberechi Eze. The midfielder curled a free-kick from out wide directly inside the near post, only for Barratttopenalisewillhughes for a foul on Nathan Collins.
Replays showed there was no real offence but, according to a post on X from the Premier League, VAR Peter Bankes was unabletointerveneasthewhistlewasblownbeforetheballhit the net. Eze revealed Barratt admittedhehadmadeanerror, telling BBC Match of the Day: “I was told that he blew too early and made the mistake.”