Ivan Toney’s hopes of leaving Brentford this summer may be delayed after his club’s new signing, Igor Thiago, sustained a major injury on his debut. The Brazilian, who had only recently joined the team, is expected to be out of action until the end of the year. As a result, Brentford is likely to resist offers for Toney, who is in the final year of his contract and was previously valued at £70m.

Despite initially signaling their intention to sell Toney, Brentford may now prioritize retaining the striker due to the injury to Thiago and a lack of interest from potential buyers. Manager Thomas Frank had earlier stated that Toney was likely to be sold, but also expressed his desire to keep the skilled striker. The high price tag on Toney has deterred potential suitors, given that he could be available for free next year.

Thiago’s injury occurred during Brentford’s 5-2 win over AFC Wimbledon on July 20, and he is expected to return towards the end of the year following a successful surgery and rehabilitation. Prior to joining Brentford, Thiago had a prolific goal-scoring record in the Belgian and Bulgarian leagues. In addition, Brentford’s concerns around financial fair play regulations may have also impacted their transfer activities in recent months.