Ivan Toney has been warned he risks wasting the peak years of his career if the forward completes a transfer from Brentford to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Toney was left out of the Brentford squad for their Premier league season opener on Sunday, as Thomas Frank’s side earned a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
Frank confirmed ahead of the match that Toney had been left out amid transfer interest.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that Saudi side Al-Ahli are considering making an improved offer for the striker after having an initial £35million bid rejected.
Brentford are maintaining an asking price of £60m but Al-Ahli’s next offer could be between £45-£50m.
Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s squad against Crystal Palace amid transfer interest
Chris Sutton has warned Toney risks wasting his peak if he makes the move to Saudi Arabia
Former Premier League winner and co-host of Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast Chris Sutton has warned Toney against making the move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton insisted it would be a waste for Toney to move to Saudi Arabia at 28.
He highlighted how Toney had worked his way back into the England squad after returning from a eight month ban for betting rules, before making an impact at the Euros.
‘At this stage of his career, I think Saudi is a no-no,’ Sutton said.
‘He has proven himself in the Premier League and he has all the attributes. His link up, his physicality, set-piece [ability] and his all-round play have developed really well.
‘You can have all the money in the world but this is Ivan Toney at his peak and I would like to see him stay in the Premier League. I would go to Saudi Arabia when I was 35 and past it.
‘Purely from a footballing perspective, that would be such a waste of him going to Saudi. Manchester United are striker-less at this moment in time, he would be a good fit there.’
Sutton suggested Toney could also see out the final year of his contract at Brentford before moving on a free transfer, although highlighting the Bees understandable push to secure a large fee this summer for the forward.
After Brentford’s opening day victory, Frank admitted he ‘hopes’ a deal can be completed soon.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has admitted he hopes a transfer can be completed soon
‘A deal is not close but we hope it will be. He has been one of our best players, if not our best player over a long spell. Like with any good player, one day they will leave,’ he said.
‘All the top players in the Premier League, one day they will leave the club and someone else needs to step up and do well.’
Toney has previously spoken openly about signing for a ‘top club’ that is fighting for titles.
The forward has scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford and broke the 20-goal barrier in the 2022-23 Premier League season.