Thomas Frank revealed that Ivan Toney is not on the verge of leaving Brentford despite his absence from the Bees' squad against Crystal Palace.
Frank left Toney out of his squad for Brentford's Premier League opener on Sunday.
The Dane said that decision was due to transfer speculation concerning the England forward, whose absence was ultimately not felt too keenly as Brentford claimed a 2-1 win.
The 28-year-old has caught the attention of a number of English sides and teams in the Saudi Pro League, but Frank was quick to quash any rumours that suggested he was on the brink of departing.
Asked whether Toney was on the cusp of a move, Frank replied: "No, it’s not close.”
However, Frank still seemed resigned to Toney eventually leaving.
Asked by BBC Radio 5 Live if it was a matter of when and not if Toney left, he said: "Yes, I guess that's fair."
Losing Toney, who has scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for the Bees since joining in 2020, would be a huge blow, but Frank is confident other players can step up.
He said: "I think Ivan is a top player. 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."
Guardiola says 'unbelievable' Haaland is hitting Messi, Ronaldo levels
Erling Haaland is reaching the levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, so says Pep Guardiola.
Haaland marked his 100th appearance for Manchester City with his 91st goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
The Norway forward has been directly involved in 106 goals for City.
And Guardiola believes the 24-year-old's record can be compared to the exploits of Messi and Ronaldo.
Guardiola said: "He has the numbers for Messi and Ronaldo, who controlled the last decade, 15 years, absolutely everything. In terms of the numbers, it is that level."
Despite his manager's praise, the data does not suggest Haaland is quite yet at the level of Messi or Ronaldo during their most fruitful campaigns.
Haaland has managed a goal on average every 88 minutes since joining City two years ago.
However, during Messi's best goalscoring season (2012-13), he managed a goal every 67 minutes in all competitions for Barcelona.
Meanwhile, in the 2014-15 season while at Real Madrid, Ronaldo scored every 76 minutes.
Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024, and Guardiola thinks Haaland has benefited from his extended rest this summer, as City began their hunt for a record fifth successive Premier League title in style.
He said: "I had a feeling that he feels better than last season at this stage. After last season, he felt a bit [so-so] or felt he was tired.
"This season, I think for the Euros unfortunately Norway were not there, there was more rest and he feels good."
Rennes 3-0 Lyon: Gouiri shines in rampant home win
Rennes kick-started their Ligue 1 campaign in confident fashion with a 3-0 victory over Lyon at Roazhon Park.
The home side's early dominance was rewarded with a goal, albeit fortuitously when a Benjamin Bourigeaud free-kick deflected in off veteran Nemanja Matic.
They doubled the lead two minutes later as the lively Amine Gouiri capitalised on a wayward pass back from Lyon's new signing Moussa Niakhate before rounding Lucas Perri and slotting into an empty net.
Lyon dominated possession in the second half and looked to have found a way back into the match after Lorenz Assignon bundled over Malick Fofana in the penalty box, but Steve Mandanda superbly saved Georges Mikautadze's spot-kick.
Gouriri was a menace throughout, going close to a second when he struck the crossbar with a deft curling effort, and he helped Rennes add further gloss when he teed up Henrik Meister in injury time.
Conte apologises to fans after Napoli 'melted like snow in the sun' against Verona
Antonio Conte apologised to Napoli's supporters after his side were humbled 3-0 at Verona in Serie A, taking responsibility for Sunday's opening loss.
Conte and Napoli endured a dreadful start to the campaign as Verona scored three goals in the second half, with the 2023 Scudetto champions unable to prevent the hosts from creating a plethora of chances.
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring after 50 minutes before a late double from substitute Daniel Mosquera condemned Conte to a torrid start in his first game back in charge of Napoli.
"We immediately let Verona have a shot at the start of the second half, and in the second instance we went behind," Conte told Sky Sports Italia.
"Then we melted like snow in the sun. What I feel like saying is that we should apologise to the Neapolitan supporters, who follow us with such passion. I am the coach and it is right that I take full responsibility."
Conte acknowledged serious work would be needed to bring Napoli up to the standard he aimed for.
"[It was] a performance that shows we need to work hard in every aspect," the Italian added. "I came to Napoli with lots of enthusiasm, with great desire. If I can help Napoli, I will."
The 55-year-old coach is desperate to seek additional reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
"On the market, one, two, three, four could arrive, as many as the club want to sign," the former Chelsea manager continued. "The problems must be faced head-on, and they are not necessarily easy issues to fix."
That transfer frustration may centre around Victor Osimhen, who appears set to leave Naples, as the striker's exit continues to block Conte from adding to his squad.
"This is a question you should ask the club and not me," Conte said of Osimhen's future. "I see that Osimhen has trained separately. You should ask the club, absolutely not me.
"I said it straight away, I was a spectator on this matter. But beyond a single player, you definitely need to have a different attitude, with more personality, more desire."
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