Sources: Brentford confident of fending off Aston Villa’s Ivan Toney bid
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is not expected to leave the club this summer despite interest from Aston Villa and Man United, sources have told Football Insider.
A well-placed source has told this site that the Bees are happy with the 27-year-old – who is, in turn, content to stay with the Londoners past the summer window.
Brentford are desperate to avoid losing Toney in the off-season despite his footballing ban and it would therefore take a big fee to lure him away from the club.
Football Insider revealed last month (27 April) that Toney is the subject of interest from Aston Villa, who have joined Man United in putting the red-hot striker on their radar.
It is believed the striker’s footballing ban will now complicate any potential deal.
The FA confirmed on Wednesday (17 May) that Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for eight months.
He has also been fined £50,000.
Toney has managed 21 goals and five assists in 35 games across all competitions this season – including a best-ever return of 20 strikes in the Premier League.
He is idolised at Brentford after helping the club to promotion to the Premier League with 33 strikes across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.
The former Peterborough striker, who earns a reported wage of £20,000-a-week, is out of contract in June 2025.
Aston Villa are keen to add a new striker in the summer window after losing Danny Ings to West Ham in the January window.
Football Insider revealed last week (12 May) that Villa target Moussa Dembele will give “serious thought” to a free transfer move to the Premier League this summer.
Meanwhile, Brentford are planning to sign a new striker to play alongside Toney for the 2023-24 campaign.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (16 May) that the Bees have watched Strasbourg striker Habib Diallo in action ahead of a potential deal this summer.
Diallo has notched 20 Ligue 1 strikes this term.
In other news, £120,000-a-week star wants to quit Aston Villa and join giants.