Brentford has officially unveiled the club-record signing of striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge, a move that signals the potential departure of Ivan Toney from the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Toney, who has netted three goals in four Premier League appearances following his return from a gambling ban, has been a subject of long-standing transfer speculation, drawing interest from several top Premier League teams. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have expressed admiration for Toney, while Manchester United has recently been linked as a potential suitor for the 27-year-old, whose contract will enter its final 12 months in the summer.
In a clear indication of Toney’s imminent exit, Brentford has agreed to break its transfer record to secure the services of 22-year-old Thiago for a reported fee of £30 million. Thiago will remain with Club Brugge until the end of the season before signing a five-year contract at the Brentford Community Stadium.
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Brentford manager Thomas Frank has openly acknowledged his expectation of Toney being sold this summer, and Toney himself has not avoided discussing a potential move away from the club since his return from an eight-month suspension.
Brentford is likely to demand a substantial fee for Toney, and his future may hinge on the valuation set by the club, as his suitors explore various options before making a decision. Chelsea, while tracking Toney, has other strikers higher on their wish list, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who has a release clause exceeding £100 million.
As for Arsenal, they are considering Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee among their options, while reports elsewhere have mentioned Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke as potential alternatives to Toney.