THOMAS FRANK has told Arsenal to back off in their hunt for Ivan Toney.
The Brentford striker, 27, will be available to play after the club’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Toney could feature in the FA Cup meeting with Wolves next Friday, having not played since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on May 6 after being handed an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
The Bees need him more than ever amid their miserable run of just one win in their last seven league matches.
Chelsea and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Toney but a source recently told SunSport that Frank is desperate for Toney to stay to turn Brentord’s season around.
Frank said: “As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player. I want to keep him and I’m looking forward to him playing with us.”
When asked if he was desperate to keep hold of Toney in the transfer window, Frank replied: “I really would like to. I’m a head coach.
“Desperate is a big word. I want to have my best players with me at all times. From my perspective, I don’t want to sell him.
“That’s because I think he’s fantastic. I’m enjoying him every day.
“Having him back will be like signing an unbelievably good Premier League striker. He’s looking forward to finally contributing to the team.
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“I see the same determination and willpower from him to want to train well and be ready to play.
“Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of a comeback and wanting to be at his best.”
Toney joined the Bees back in 2020 from League One side Peterborough for a club-record transfer fee of £15million.
He scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term season, helping Brentford into ninth place in the table.
His contract runs out at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
