Brentford are reportedly monitoring Norwich City striker Josh Sargent as they step up their contingency planning for Ivan Toney's potential departure this summer. 

Toney, who has recently returned from a lengthy football ban, is expected to depart the Bees this summer for big money, with the top English sides all expected to be interested in the England international. 

That means Brentford will need to source a replacement, and the Sun's Alan Nixon is reporting that they are monitoring Sargent as part of that search. 

The American netted his 11th Championship goal of the campaign in City's impressive 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Carrow Road on Saturday. The goal was virtually made from nothing. 

Sargent is averaging a goal every 89 minutes this season and has transformed Norwich's attacking play. He has been the Canaries' main number nine since Teemu Pukki departed the club last summer. 

Interest in his services this summer will be inevitable if he maintains this scoring rate, with Brentford the first side to be credited with keeping tabs on his progress. Other Premier League scouts have also watched the 24-year-old in recent weeks. 

Brentford are still fighting to maintain their Premier League status and sit six points above the drop zone. Thomas Frank's side drew 2-2 with Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Toney is reported to be valued at £100m by the Bees, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with the striker. Frank confirmed that, with one year left on his deal this summer, the likelihood is he will depart the West London club.

Brentford did confirm the signing of Club Brugge forward Igor Thiago last month on a long-term deal. He is expected to fill any void left by Toney's potential departure when he officially joins in July.

The Pink Un: Ivan Toney is widely expected to leave Brentford this summer.Ivan Toney is widely expected to leave Brentford this summer. (Image: PA Images)

"It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer," Frank said to Danish media, via Tipsbladet back in February.

"We also know what he is worth. I don't think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now. £100m plus?... What would you pay for a striker that guarantees you 20-plus goals? And this is 20 goals for a mid-table club. What can he do in a bigger club?

"He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team."