Ivan Toney’s departure from Brentford is “not close”, manager Thomas Frank has said, despite his decision to leave the striker out of the squad for their Premier League opener because of transfer speculation.

The 28-year-old has been linked with moves to several English clubs this summer as well as a switch to the Saudi Pro League.

Asked after his side’s win over Crystal Palace on Sunday if Toney was set to leave the club, Frank said: “It is not close.”

But when asked by BBC Radio 5 live if it was a matter of when Toney leaves and not if, Frank added: “Yes, I guess that is fair.”

Toney has been at Brentford for the past four years, and scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games for the Bees in the 2022-23 season.

“I think Ivan is a top player,” said Frank. “He has been a top player and one of our best players if not the best player over a long spell.

“All the top players in the Premier League, one day they will leave the club and someone will have to step up and do well.”