Selling Toney could leave Bees without much sting

Brentford look like they will need an injection of firepower in the upcoming transfer window. 

Their England star Ivan Toney has been linked with a move away from West London as his lengthy suspension comes to an end on January 16. 

And it comes at a time when the Bees' top scorer Bryan Mbeumo is unavailable as he recovers from ankle surgery. 

Ahead of Brentford's clash with Wolves on Wednesday night, we take a closer look at Thomas Frank's attacking options. 

Toney comeback

Brentford's technical director Lee Dykes recently spoke about Toney's upcoming return to action and a possible move away from the club. 

He said: "I am so excited for Ivan to come back because I see him out there in training and he is some player. It looks like he's never been away. 

"There's a real ambition from him and I can see in his eyes that he's going to be better than he's ever been. I really believe that will be the case. 

"Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be. 

"He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season. One of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he's up there as one of the best strikers in the division. 

"He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion. So there should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club. 

"But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent." 

Mbeumo injury

Brentford's valuation of Toney is likely to be a key factor in whether he moves on in January. 

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are all said to be interested in the striker but will be reluctant to pay too much for a player whose contract expires in the summer of 2025. 

Yet unless the right offer comes in, the Bees may be equally unenthusiastic to cash in on Toney at a time when they are badly in need of his goals. 

Brentford initially coped better than expected without their centre-forward, with winger Mbeumo scoring seven times in 15 Premier League appearances this season. 

As the Cameroonian proved himself to be a reliable goalscorer, Toney became a more disposable asset. 

But Mbeumo's recent injury against Brighton may have changed that stance somewhat. After undergoing ankle surgery, the 24-year-old is not expected back until March. 

Brentford lost that game 2-1 and have since suffered further defeats to Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

Those losses have left the London club only four points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their crucial game with Wolves. 

Striking options

In Brentford's last outing against Aston Villa, Frank paired Yoane Wissa with Keane Lewis-Potter in attack, with the latter scoring in a 2-1 defeat. 

It was only the second goal that the former Hull forward had scored for the club in 26 appearances. 

With Wissa scoring just three goals in 14 games this season, selling Toney would be a huge gamble unless Brentford received a fee that allowed them to recruit a new striker. 

Staying in the Premier League is the priority and from a financial perspective, it may make more sense to accept a lesser sum for the England international in the summer and maintain top-flight status.