Brentford eyeing Ivan Toney transfer replacement by lining up free-scoring Championship striker

SAMMIE SZMODICS is on Brentford’s radar as the Bees plan for life after Ivan Toney.

Blackburn striker Szmodics, 28, is in the form of his life, with 21 goals in 35 league games making him leading scorer in the Championship.

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Sammie Szmodics slots past Michael Cooper[/caption]

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Bees boss Thomas Frank has admitted that he expects England striker Toney to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea leading the hunt.

Frank’s top spy, Mick Priest, saw Szmodics score the leveller in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Millwall last week — and  he is now on their shortlist of targets.

The Bees are in the market for a couple of new attacking players for their squad and have also checked out Josh Sargent at Norwich.

Luton are also looking at Szmodics but cannot commit until they know which division they will be in next season.

The forward, who like Toney previously played for Peterborough, was in action yesterday.

Szmodics lined up against Plymouth Argyle in a relegation six-pointer at Ewood Park.

He took just seven minutes to get on the scoresheet, bending a right-footed effort beyond Michael Cooper.

Kyle McFadzean’s 54th minute red card made matters difficult for John Eustace’s side.

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Argyle eventually found an equaliser via Morgan Whittaker, who himself has attracted plenty of interest.

Toney, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes as Brentford lost 2-1 at Arsenal.

The Gunners took the lead through Declan Rice on 19 minutes.

Yoane Wissa levelled on the stroke of half-time, before Kai Havertz won it with an 86th minute header.