Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has hailed the impact that Ivan Toney had on Brentford after the striker came back from his eight-month ban at the weekend and believes that the January transfer window will shut with the England international remaining with the Bees.
Toney was banned for eight months in May 2023 for breaching the FA's gambling laws, sitting out the final game of the 2022-23 season and having to watch the first half of the current season from the sidelines. Brentford boss Thomas Frank wasted no time in putting Toney back into his starting line-up after the 27-year-old's suspension expired last week and was rewarded with a goalscoring return after Toney netted an equalising goal on 19 minutes with his first shot as he helped the Bees to a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
This came after Toney reiterated his desire to play for 'a top club competing for trophies' in an interview with Sky Sports shortly before his return, adding fuel to speculation that the forward could be on the move this month as he sets his site on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad this summer. Arsenal are among the clubs to be linked with a move for the former Newcastle United and Peterborough man.
Redknapp was quick to reference Toney's future at the Brentford Community Stadium when he gave his take on the player's eventful return to action at the weekend.
"What a moment and what a return for Ivan Toney," Redknapp told sports betting website BetVictor. "It was quite a contentious goal against Nottingham Forest but that’s what Toney does, he finds a way to put the ball in the net! What a huge difference he’ll make to this side.
"Even during the match the other night, you could just tell the mood and atmosphere around the club was different with him in the side. I think they’ll keep hold of him in this window, I’m not so sure about in the summer though."
The January transfer closes on Thursday, February 1 at 11pm with Brentford having signed Turkish youth international Yunus Emre Konak from Sivasspor in a permanent deal and also bringing in Sergio Reguilon in on loan from Spurs so far. Next up for Toney and the Bees on the pitch is a midweek trip to Tottenham 24 hours before the transfer deadline next week
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