Ivan Toney has taken to social media to thank Brentford fans after missing half of the season through suspension. The 28-year-old was only able to make 17 appearances for the Bees in total following an eight-month betting ban that started prior to the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Having been away from the first team for half of that before returning to training and practice matches in the lead-up to his January return, Toney's standing as one of the best strikers in England has taken a hit. Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke both took advantage of his absence to become the leading marksman alongside Erling Haaland.

Although Brentford were able to stay up despite missing their talisman - and other key players at points through injury and international competition - it was a disappointing year for Thomas Frank. The Bees finished 16th, below Everton, and failed to make the same impact that had been managed in their first two seasons in the top flight.

Without Toney's goals it was a quiet year for the West Londoners. Even once their star was back in the side, he only managed four goals with just three coming from open play.

An initial run of four in his first five games had reminded people just why Brentford are demanding upwards of £60million for his services, though a failure to score in the last 12 matches has left his future uncertain. Twelve months ago he was a top target for a number of teams having moved onto the radar of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United. They each appear to have moved on from Toney heading into the summer window, though.

Tottenham are just the latest team to be linked with a summer move as they seek to find a new No.9. Meanwhile, attention elsewhere has turned to Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen among others.

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Toney is still widely admired and has one year left on his Brentford deal and. The former Newcastle forward is also still expected to leave the club this summer. Frank has been keen to shut down talk of an exit for the England international though. "You should ask Phil [Giles, director of football] and Matthew [Benham, owner] about that because they will be even better to answer that question," he said last month. "I'm pretty sure the answer will be that there is no price.

"I think it's all about the narrative. If you can score five goals in five then suddenly your price is through the roof. If a striker performs consistently over time then there is a good price.

"I know Ivan is a good player and he's proven that many times. Last season he was fantastic, he made his full England debut and I think he's a very good player."

Toney himself has now hinted that this year has been his last at the Gtech Community Stadium though. "This season has been personally challenging, especially being unable to help the boys during the early stages of the season," he wrote on Instagram. "Stepping back on the pitch and receiving the support I did in January was a moment I’ll always remember! Thank you for your support throughout the season! [Bee and red heart emoji]".

There was no mention of the 2024/25 season in Toney's post, a usual staple for players recapping and speaking online. What his future holds now is unclear,and technical director Lee Dykes can't rule anything out. "Well, we've got to be honest and open with ourselves, like we were last summer with David Raya," he explained in March.

"We signed players, and we're honest with them, and they're honest with us that maybe the time may come for them to go on to bigger and better levels than ourselves. Ivan is in a similar situation to what David was in.

"He’s got aspirations to play at a higher level, which is fine, but it’s got to be on Brentford's terms, obviously. And we've got to do it as a recruitment department, and it's particularly my role.

"I've just got to be ready to know that there may be a situation where we're looking to bring somebody in if Ivan leaves the club, but there's also a situation where Ivan stays at the club, and that's what we all want. We want Ivan to stay at the club and play Premier League football for Brentford for years to come."

Toney himself has already spoken about leaving in the near future. "The manager has said what he's said but I can't make clubs come and get me," he explained during the January window before his return. "I've just got to keep doing what I do and that's score goals. What will be will be."

He added: “You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere. It’s obvious I’d like to play for a top club, everybody wants to play for the top clubs, fighting for titles and these kinds of things.

"So whether it’s this January for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows? But my main focus is doing what I do on the pitch and let the background work take care of itself.”