Brentford sign Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge on five-year deal amid Ivan Toney exit talk

Brentford announced the signing of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge on Wednesday, in a move that will spark further speculation over the future of Ivan Toney.

Thiago, who has scored 26 goals in 40 appearances this season, will join the Bees on a five-year deal in July.

“I’m very pleased that we have been proactive as a club; big credit to Matthew Benham, Phil Giles and Lee Dykes for the hard work they have done. We are ahead of the curve,” said Brentford boss Thomas Frank in a club statement.

“We have signed a key player for a key position. Thiago is a very exciting striker who fits the role in our team. He is hard working and a very good pressing player. He is also a physical presence, very good in the box and can link the play.

“He’s progressing well in the Belgian league, so there is big potential and we are looking forward to seeing him in a red and white shirt.”

Toney is the subject of interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea and Frank conceded earlier this month that the 27-year-old is "likely" to be sold this summer.

The England international has missed most of the season after receiving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.

However, Toney’s return last month has helped propel Brentford six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone as he has scored three times in four appearances since his return.

Liverpool are next in Toney’s sights as the Premier League leaders travel to west London, live on TNT Sports on Saturday.

Should he become Toney’s replacement, Thiago has a tough act to follow but he has enjoyed a rapid rise since joining Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad from Cruzeiro less than two years ago.

The 22-year-old scored 15 times in 32 league appearances for the Bulgarian champions before joining Brugge last summer.

Thiago has proved even more deadly in Belgium, where he has netted 16 times in 24 league appearances, and struck six times in eight games in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

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