Brentford's record signing Igor Thiago has been ruled out until the end of the year after knee surgery, potentially derailing the club's plans to sell star striker Ivan Toney this summer.
Thiago, a 23-year-old Brazilian striker, joined Brentford from Belgian club Club Brugge for a club-record fee of £30m last month. He was expected to be a key player for the Bees this season, but his injury has thrown a wrench into their plans.
The Impact of Thiago's Injury on Toney's Future
The timing of Thiago's injury is particularly bad for Brentford, as it comes at a time when Toney is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs. Toney, who is 28 years old, has been in excellent form for Brentford, scoring 72 goals in 141 appearances for the club. He has also earned international recognition, representing England at Euro 2024.
Brentford was initially hoping to cash in on Toney this summer, with a price tag of around £70m being placed on his head. However, few clubs came forward with serious bids for the England striker. With Thiago out for the rest of the year, Brentford may now be forced to keep Toney, especially since he is entering the final year of his contract.
Toney's Transfer Saga: A Summer of Uncertainty
While Toney has expressed his desire to play for a “top club, competing for trophies,” there hasn't been any serious club-to-club discussions about a transfer. Clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, who were initially interested, have moved on to younger targets.
Several clubs still admire Toney, but they are likely waiting to see if he becomes available on a free transfer next summer. This is particularly relevant in light of the current economic landscape in football, with clubs being more cautious about spending big fees due to the Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
Brentford's Dilemma: Holding On To Toney
While selling Toney would be financially beneficial for Brentford, they may be reluctant to let their star striker go on a free transfer next summer. The Bees also believe that keeping Toney would help Thiago's development, as he would have a proven Premier League striker to learn from.
Will Toney Stay or Go?
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining Toney's future. If a club comes in with a substantial bid for Toney, Brentford may be tempted to sell. However, with Thiago's injury, it is also possible that the Bees will decide to hold onto their star striker for at least another season.
The Future of Brentford's Attack
The injury to Thiago has undoubtedly disrupted Brentford's plans for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen how the club will cope without their record signing, and whether Toney will remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window.
This is a developing story that will be followed closely by football fans across the globe. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the futures of both Thiago and Toney, and how the situation will impact Brentford's season.
