Ivan Toney will not play again until January after a ban for betting offences (Picture: Getty Images)

Big clubs will still be looking to buy Ivan Toney this summer despite his eight-month ban from football over betting offences, reckons former England striker Darren Bent.

Toney has been hit with the heavy punishment after admitting 232 breaches of FA betting rules and will now be banned from all football activities until 16 January 2024.

It is a huge blow for the 27-year-old and for Brentford, who have been reliant on the goals of the England international over the last three seasons, with Toney netting 21 times in all competitions this campaign.

Such has been the form of the forward over the last two seasons in the Premier League that he has been linked with a string of big clubs, notably Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Clearly a ban until the middle of January will make Toney a less attractive prospect for any potential buyers, but Bent reckons he has been so impressive that a club will still make a move for him nonetheless.

‘Of course he’s been caught doing this, then he has to face the punishment,’ Bent said on talkSPORT. ‘But he’s had a phenomenal season, an absolute phenomenal season.

‘Making his England debut, should have got an England cap before he actually got it. He’s got 20 goals playing for Brentford.

‘Since he’s got to the Premier League it’s been easy for him. 12 last season, 20 this season. He’s going to be a big miss.

‘You know what the bonkers thing is, I know he’s been banned for eight months and he won’t feature till January, I still think someone big will still try and get him.’

Bent suggests that if a big bid does come in for Toney then the Bees would be wise to accept it and find a replacement instead of going half of next season without a main striker.

‘What Brentford might have to do…if someone, Chelsea or someone, comes in with a massive offer for him, knowing that he can’t play till January, Brentford might have to take that money and then find someone else to replace him, [because] that’s half the season done!’ Bent said.

MORE : Ivan Toney banned from football for eight months over betting offences

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‘Since he’s got to the Premier League it’s been easy for him.’