Brentford striker Ivan Toney was not in the squad to face Crystal Palace on Sunday with the goalscorer now expected to move on.
The Bees opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over London rivals Crystal Palace.
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring before Ethan Pinnock’s own goal brought Palace level in West London.
Yoana Wissa scrambled home the winner with two Brentford forwards finding the net in the absence of leading hitman Ivan Toney.
Eyebrows were raised before kick-off as Toney wasn’t even named on the Brentford bench, never mind in the starting XI.
Bees boss Thomas Frank has admitted that Toney is attracting interest and that was the reason for him being left out against Palace.
Andy Gray on Ivan Toney to Aston Villa
HITC understands that Brentford will not sell Toney for less than £50million this summer.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli are now interested in Toney with Arsenal and Tottenham yet to firm up any interest.
Add in that Spurs have now signed Dominic Solanke and a move to North London may not materialise.
Toney would surely attract Premier League interest and Andy Gray has now commented on a potential move to Aston Villa.
Gray – a Villa hero from his playing days – has told beIN SPORTS that he has heard Villa are looking into a move for Toney.
Gray noted that he has been back in the UK and has heard that Unai Emery is ‘seriously’ considering bringing Toney to Villa Park.
The Scot does though feel that Jhon Duran staying at Villa Park may impact a move for Toney, even if the interest has ‘definitely’ been suggested.
“I heard a couple of rumours when I was back in the UK that Villa and Emery were seriously thinking about enquiring about him, let’s just say that,” said Gray. “I’m not quite sure where Villa sit with the Financial Fair Play, I know they sold Douglas Luiz but they’ve brought a few in and spent a lot.”
“I don’t know whether Jhon Duran’s proposed transfer to West Ham not happening maybe softened that a bit, but there was definitely talk that Villa might be well interested in Ivan Toney,” he added.
Jhon Duran latest
Villa are preparing for a Champions League campaign and Emery will need squad depth in order to cope with serious demands this term.
Ollie Watkins is Villa’s leading striker and the expectation was that Duran would be on the move.
West Ham United targeted Duran this summer and haven’t given up hope just yet with the Hammers still keen on a loan deal despite signing Niclas Fullkrug.
Duran started Saturday’s game against West Ham on the bench, but he came on to score the winning goal with a fine finish.
West Ham will certainly feel haunted by Duran but unless Villa come up with an impressive offer, he will be staying at Villa Park.
Would Villa really go and sign Toney on top of Watkins and Duran? That feels a little unlikely, but Brentford preparing to sell may just see Villa ramp up efforts to offload Duran and bring in the England international.
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