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Ivan Toney wanted to play for Brentford against crystal Palace But it was abandoned before a potentially large sum of money could be transferred.
It looks like the England striker has played his last game for the Bees, with the boss Thomas Frank He revealed that his absence was due to “transfer interest”.
Tony’s name is being linked with a lucrative move Saudi Arabia Al-Ahly and the Bees, keen to earn a potential £60million deal rather than lose the 28-year-old next summer, opted to keep him out.
Fortunately for Frank, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa once again filled the void, as they had done during Toney’s eight-month ban for breaking betting rules last season, and gave Brentford a 2-1 win.
“There were a lot of things going on with Ivan with transfer rumours and activities and because of all of that we decided not to include him in the team,” Frank said.
“It (the decision) was the club’s and mine. It was taken on Thursday. We felt it was the best thing to do. Ivan always wants to play.”
When Frank was asked if the interest was from a Saudi club, an English club or more than one club, he said: “You never know.”
He added: “Ivan is a great player. He has been one of our best players for a long time, even if he hasn’t been our best player. Like any good player one day he will leave the club.
There are a lot of things going on with Ivan with transfer rumours and activities and because of all of this we have decided not to include him in the squad.
Thomas Frank
“I think Visa has performed better whenever Ivan hasn’t played and I think he did that today as well. Brian had a great start to last season and now he’s back in form. Excellent.”
Mbeumo gave Palace the lead in the first half, and although an Ethan Pinnock own goal brought Palace level, Wissa scored the winner 14 minutes from time.
However, Palace were left infuriated when referee Sam Barrett controversially disallowed Eberechi Eze’s early goal.
The midfielder curled the free-kick straight inside the near post, but Barrett penalised Will Hughes for a foul on Nathan Collins.
Replays showed no actual offence had taken place, but according to a post on Premier League X, VAR Peter Bankes was unable to intervene as the whistle had blown before the ball had fallen into the net.
Eze revealed that Barrett admitted he had made a mistake, telling BBC Match of the Day: “I was told he blew it too early and made a mistake.”
Palace boss Oliver Glasner was somewhat more diplomatic, saying: “It shows he is a good character and a good person. Making mistakes is part of the game. I made mistakes today too.
“I think everyone was surprised that the referee blew the whistle so early. We thought it was a goal, but the rule is that when the referee blows the whistle the goal doesn’t count. That’s the way it is.”