Newcastle United have reportedly been told to stump up £30 million to re-sign Ivan Toney from Brentford in the summer transfer window.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle United will need to fork out a hefty £30 million fee if they are to prise striker Ivan Toney away from Brentford this summer.
As the summer transfer window approaches, strikers are in high demand, with a host of clubs battling for a small group of Europe’s top-notch forwards. Benfica striker Darwin Nunez is certainly one of those who will be looking for a fresh challenge this summer.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, are desperate to add another striker this summer despite signing Chris Wood in January. The idea would be to add another striker to the roster of Wood and Callum Wilson, giving manager Eddie Howe three recognised strikers to choose from.
Indeed, the new owners’ vast riches appear to have put them in the running to sign the 22-year-old Uruguayan sensation Nunez, who has scored 33 goals this season and is expected to attract interest from some of Europe’s elite this summer. However, as per Daily Telegraph, Newcastle have been forced to seek elsewhere heading into the summer, with Nunez making it clear that he wants to join a Champions League club.
As such, Newcastle have already identified other targets and have decided to set their sights back on Reims striker Hugo Ekitike while considering a sensational return of Ivan Toney. Ekitike, like Nunez, will have many big hitters queuing up for his signature and already rejected a move to Newcastle United in January.
Toney, though, represents an interesting option. The 26-year-old does have a history with Newcastle as he joined the Magpies from Northampton in 2015. But he made only four senior appearances before being sold to Peterborough United.
Since then, Toney has made a name for himself as a potent striker across the English pyramid, scoring a whopping 83 league goals since the start of the 2018/19 season across three different divisions. He has been one of Brentford’s most influential players since joining them in 2020, scoring 33 Championship goals as the Bees gained their first promotion to the top flight in 74 years last season.
Despite initial concerns over his quality, the 26-year-old English marksman has flourished during his first season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in 28 appearances so far. This has sparked interest from rival clubs, with Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion both keeping an eye on him as they look to boost their striking options for next season.
While Toney may not have been of the calibre the Magpies desired back in the day, he is now a far more rounded and mature footballer. He also seems to fit Howe’s profile as a complete forward suited to a forward-thinking style of play. The English striker is not just a headache for opposing defenders because of his pace, strength and aerial nuisance but also masters the ability to drop into midfield and bring his teammates into action.
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As it stands, Brentford have set a £30 million valuation on their star striker ahead of potential bids come summer. Whether the Magpies do match the quoted asking price to re-sign Toney remains to be seen.
