Ivan Toney's potential destinations - ranked

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed Ivan Toney is heading for the exit door.

"It's quite obvious that Ivan Toney will most likely be sold in the summer," Frank told Danish outlet Tipsbladet.

"It can be expensive to sell your best player, but on the other hand, I also know that by summer, he'll only have a year left on his contract with us.

"We also know what he's worth. I don't think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.

"He's a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him at a top team."

Toney himself has been open with his aim to play for a 'top club', while he has also name-dropped two Premier League sides as potential suitors in the past.

But where should Toney go? Who should move for him? Where would he be best suited? Let's break down the options...

5. Manchester United

Likelihood rating: 1/10
Fun rating: 3/10

At the time of writing - a timestamp and disclaimer sorely needed because you never know when these lot are going to wake up on the wrong side of the bed - Manchester United have found some form and look like a coherent football team.

Striker Rasmus Hojlund, signed for £72m last summer, has more than played his part in the Red Devils' latest renaissance. United need another experienced striker, but it doesn't make sense for them to break the bank again for one as good as Toney.

The United boat probably came and went for Toney last summer upon receiving his eight-month ban from football. He would have fit that vision of Erik ten Hag's team like a glove.

4. Tottenham Hotspur

Likelihood rating: 3/10
Fun rating: 7/10

Ange Postecoglou mainly wants his strikers to just stand in the box and put the ball in the bloody net when it's in their vicinity. It's a simple formula stripped back from the Harry Kane mould of 'I'm going to do everything because no one else seemingly can'.

Richarlison has been receptive to this tactic, particularly after undergoing surgery on a long-standing pelvic issue, and the Brazil international has now scored nine goals in his last eight games.

In theory, Toney would suit this role and add another layer of threat with his aerial prowess. But will Tottenham want to spend big on a centre forward who soon turns 28 and is unashamedly outspoken? It doesn't quite marry up to Postecoglou's project thus far.

The counter would be Toney has fought tooth and nail to rise back from the lower leagues to the top flight. Postecoglou has admitted to being receptive to this kind of journey and declared it a reason behind signing Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Signing Toney would make some sense, but you'd have to do some mental gymnastics to see Spurs getting into the race.

3. Liverpool

Likelihood rating: 4/10
Fun rating: 7/10

Jurgen Klopp's imminent departure from Liverpool without a successor publicly lined up makes speculatively planning transfers for them a little difficult, but I'm going to give it a bloody good go anyway.

Toney, ultimately, has a proven Premier League scoring track record that none of Liverpool's centre forward options can boast. Darwin Nunez brings great energy and mayhem but is far from a calm head, while Cody Gakpo hasn't kicked on as many would have expected yet.

If Liverpool's new manager wants a top striker and stresses from the outset, then boyhood fan Toney could be near the top of their list. It's just hard to envisage at this time.

2. Chelsea

Likelihood rating: 6/10
Fun rating: 8/10

Yeah, how Chelsea have spent over £1bn under Todd Boehly's BlueCo regime and still not brought in a clinical striker remains a mystery.

Toney, whose game bears slight resemblance to that of Blues legend Didier Drogba, would be the perfect fit for both Mauricio Pochettino's project and Chelsea's needs as a club.

Ironically, what might keep Chelsea out of this race could be financial restraints, with the club already said to be fearing punishment for spending beyond their means if they sack Pochettino before the end of the season.

1. Arsenal

Likelihood rating: 8/10
Fun rating: 8/10

Almost by default, Toney could fall into the hands of Arsenal.

The Gunners' number nine Gabriel Jesus has admitted scoring is not one of his key strengths (which seems a tad concerning), while Toney previously stated he could see himself playing for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side now also have a swagger and competitive edge about them that would suit the striker down to the ground.

It makes sense on so many levels.

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