Leeds United target Ivan Toney is a strong option amid Patrick Bamford fitness fears
Ivan Toney “wouldn’t be a bad option at all” for Leeds United as Patrick Bamford is unlikely to be fit all season, according to Dean Jones.
The Whites number nine endured a nightmare 2021/22 season as he was repeatedly ruled out with injury set-backs, but should be fit to start the new season under Jesse Marsch.
However the club are looking for help at his position, and the Brentford forward is a target [The Sun], although Jones expects it will take big money to make it happen.
The former Eurosport journalist told Give Me Sport: “With Brentford I just can’t see them selling Toney unless a ludicrous offer lands. I think he wouldn’t be a bad option at all, if you want somebody to backup Bamford.
“As it stands, Bamford should be fit to start the season. But from his past, we know that like the likelihood of him getting through an entire season is slim.
“So that’d be an interesting one if they were willing to stump up a lot of money.”
Insurance premium
The Whites are ready to spend on a new forward option, with Bamford now the only senior member of the squad, ahead of young talents Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.
As much as everyone would like to remain optimistic about the older man’s chances of playing every game this season, it would be a risk to assume it is possible considering his history.
There appears to be big money available for Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge, although that remains only an outside chance of being successful, while a smaller fee is ready for Paris Saint-Germain’s Arnaud Kalimuendo.
With the Bees unwilling to let their main man go it would likely take more money than either of the aforementioned names would cost, but he does have the attractive element of Premier League experience.
The 26-year-old scored 12 top flight goals in his first real season in the league, after a couple of outings earlier in his career at Newcastle.
If it cost £40million to bring him in it would be a major investment, but since sales have essentially paid for all the transfer business done so far it wouldn’t lead to a giant net spend.
Perhaps there are better options out there for that money, but with the clock ticking down towards the start of the new campaign without a new striker through the door the club could do worse than to make such a statement.
In other Leeds United news, there are only a few gaps left to fill during the window and a target at one of them would enjoy working for Marsch.