Newcastle United are all set to battle it out with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United for the services of £80 million-rated Ivan Toney.
According to a report from iNews, Newcastle United are “firm admirers” of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who features on a list of attackers being eyed by the Magpies for future transfer windows. The Toon will have to jostle for the front-runner position with Arsenal, who were reported this week to be targeting Toney, as well as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
The England international is no stranger to the North East, having spent between 2015 and 2018 contracted to Newcastle United, making just four appearances during that time.
However, his time spent out on loan at lower-league clubs contributed to his breakout campaign at Peterborough United, where he netted 49 goals in 94 appearances to earn a move to Brentford in 2020.
Toney has since enjoyed a legendary stint with the Bees, contributing 68 goals and 21 assists from 124 appearances to take the Bees from the Championship to establishing them as a mid-table Premier League side. He has gone from strength to strength year after year and earned his first England call-up last season.
However, the front-man has received a ban from the FA for gambling offences and will miss the first half of the season, having been found guilty of 232 breaches under FA rules. Toney remains sidelined until next year because of his betting ban. Brentford will no doubt want to keep hold of him until next summer at least, and he currently holds a “not for sale” stance.
However, speculation remains over the Brentford striker’s future, with the player recently changing agents to CAA Base, while Thomas Frank himself has admitted that the Bees are prepared to listen to offers for their talisman, which has encouraged suitors.
Now, iNews claims Newcastle United have also joined the race to acquire the services of their former striker, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal also credited with an interest.
Erik ten Hag is said to be keen to land a physical number nine in addition to the summer signing of Rasmus Hojlund, while Chelsea’s need for a new star striker has become more pressing following their woeful start to the new season, with summer signing Nicolas Jackson misfiring in front of goal and Christopher Nkunku out injured.
The latest reports suggest Arsenal are also interested in signing Toney as a different striking option to Gabriel Jesus, who undoubtedly is a fabulous footballer and presses like a machine up top, but has historically struggled when it comes to putting the sort of numbers synonymous with the main striker for title-chasing sides.
As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe has Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson as his leading options up top, with the latter recently extending his contract until 2025. The Englishman has finished as Newcastle’s top scorer in his three seasons on Tyneside but is not getting any younger at 31 years old and holds a poor injury record, making Toney a viable option.