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Troy Deeney believes Leeds United target Ivan Toney will leave in the summer
Troy Deeney has claimed on talkSPORT that Leeds United target Ivan Toney will move on regardless of Brentford’s league status.
The Bees’ only chance of securing their first-ever Premier League promotion will be via the play-offs as Norwich and Deeney’s Watford will finish in the top two.
Thomas Frank’s men found themselves in a similar situation and went all the way only to lose to Fulham in extra time of the play-off final.
This saw two of their top players in Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma leave for top-flight football, and history could repeat itself should they fail to secure promotion.
However, Deeney believes that regardless of Brentford’s situation, Toney is ready to move to a top-flight side, with Leeds United keen, according to TeamTalk.
Deeney said, “Right now, I will go for Brentford (to secure promotion) just because of Ivan Toney. Whether they get to the Premier League, or not, he is ready for that next level.
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“But I know him personally and he has definitely tried to get Glenn Murray’s record of 32 goals, so I think in the playoffs, he will show that cut above.
“I think he is one of those players, and Brentford fans won’t be happy, but once the season is over then he will move on.
Brilliant
We usually tend to disagree with Deeney on most things, but he’s making a valid claim here.
The Watford striker says he knows Toney personally which could mean that they’ve spoken about his plans in the past, and the Brentford talisman has told him he wants to play in the top flight next season.
We’re just clutching at straws here, but we’re happty to be linked to him and hopefully, we can complete his signing in the summer.
He’s earned heavy praise from the hierarchy at Peterborough, where he plied his trade before joining Brentford.
Their director of football Barry Fry said, “He’s turned into a tremendous all-round footballer. It’s important to remember Ivan is not just an exceptional goal-scoring forward, he’s also an outstanding defender.”
Arsenal, who are rumoured to be interested in him as well, right now have an array of young attackers all vying for three or four positions, so he’s more likely to get playing time at Leeds.
Toney wouldn’t replace Bamford but would provide top-class back-up, which is something we desperately need.
In other Leeds news, ‘Easy to do that’ – Paul Scholes makes scathing claim about ‘Non-existent’ Leeds