da jogodeouro: Brentford striker Ivan Toney has set his sights on making England's Euro 2024 squad, while denying he needs a January exit to achieve that goal.
da esoccer bet: Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Toney eyes Euro 2024 spot with EnglandDoesn't need Brentford exit to achieve thatChelsea and Arsenal target nears returnGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Toney's ban for betting offences will lift in time for the Bees' Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 20. Despite his inactivity over the past eight months due to the suspension, the 27-year-old has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Arsenal. Now, the former Peterborough United star, who has been in first-team training since September, has spoken about his goals of making the England squad for Euro 2024, while perhaps giving a hint on his Brentford future.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT IVAN TONEY SAID
When asked if he had his sights set on Euro 2024, he told Sky Sports: "100%. I feel like that is the aim. That's the goal to try and get back to my form and be involved in that. We know there are other great strikers around at the moment and they are all doing so well but it's up to me whether I come straight back firing and put my name in the frame to be looked at. It's going to take hard work, dedication, and that's the goal to look towards and to be in that would be a massive achievement."
When it was put to him that he earned his sole England cap while playing for Brentford and there was no reason why that couldn't happen again, he replied: "Correct, yeah. If someone is playing well and scoring goals, no matter who they are playing for, it's a great chance to put yourself forward to be in the window to play for England. Like I said there are great strikers around at the moment but I am sure if I do what I am capable of, scoring goals and assisting then I'll give myself a great chance."
(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Toney will be one of the most talked about players during the January transfer window as he returns to action this month. The London outfit have reportedly slapped a £100 million price tag on his head, and due to their lowly league position of 16th, just four points above the bottom three, they will not want to lose Toney in January. But, if they get a huge offer, the Bees may part company with the forward – whose contract expires in the summer of 2025.
WHAT NEXT?
Toney, who scored a hat-trick for Brentford's B team on Saturday in a 5-1 win over Southampton's Under-23 side, will not make his first-team return on January 15 in a FA Cup third-round replay away to Wolves as his ban runs until the 17th, but he could feature against Forest on January 20.