Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has explained why Ivan Toney was left out of the squad to face Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"There's some transfer interest and because of all that we decided not to involve him today," Frank said before the London derby against Palace. "Ivan is a top player; he's been fantastic for us over four years but we also showed, last year especially, that we can win without him."
When asked after the match on BBC Radio 5 Live if it's more a case of when Toney will leave, instead of if, Frank said: "That's fair, yes."
Toney featured once for Brentford during pre-season following his exertions with England at UEFA EURO 2024, playing 45 minutes against Wolfsburg on 9 August.
The 28-year-old forward, who has been the subject of reported interest from Saudi club Al Ahli, has scored 36 goals and supplied 11 assists in 85 Premier League matches for the Bees.
Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade are starting in attack for Brentford against Palace, with Mbeumo and Wissa scoring in a 2-1 win.
Summer signing Igor Thiago is out injured until the end of 2024 after undergoing knee surgery.
