Leeds United ready move for Ivan Toney, Jesse Marsch wants £30m+ ace to partner Patrick Bamford
Leeds United are weighing up a move to sign Brentford centre-forward Ivan Toney, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported via their website on Saturday night (16 July) that Newcastle United are also keen on signing the 26-year-old, who was previously on the books at St James’ Park.
It is understood that the Whites and the Magpies have made signing a new striker a “top priority” for the rest of the summer transfer window.
It is understood that Jesse Marsch wants a new striker because he’s a fan of playing with two up front and The Sun claims that he sees Toney “as someone who could work as a perfect partner for Patrick Bamford”.
Brentford understandably don’t want to sell Toney but “their resolve could be tested by an offer of above £30million”.
Yes, please
Toney is someone who we’d absolutely love to see head to Elland Road this summer.
If Marsch wants to play with two up top next season then he’s going to need a new striker because as it stands, his only real striker options are Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and, to an extent, Sam Greenwood.
Rodrigo and Daniel James were both tried and tested up front last season and both of them failed to impress so they’re better off being used in the midfield or wing roles.
Toney is an out-and-out centre-forward – he just loves scoring goals.
While Bamford might drop deep and connect play among the attacking players, Toney is someone who you know will be busting a gut to get into the area and smash the ball into the back of the net.
Last season, he scored 14 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions and also supplied six assists.
Leeds haven’t signed anyone with Premier League experience so far this summer but in Toney, the Whites will know they’re getting a striker who’s proven to be able to score against the likes of Manchester United, West Ham, Aston Villa and Wolves.
That £30million price-tag sounds like a bargain too.
Last year, Brentford chairman Cliff Crown, speaking to Sky Sports (May 2021) described Toney as a “phenomenal” striker.
It would be phenomenal business if Victor Orta was to sign him for that aforementioned fee.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are on the verge of winning the race to sign this player amid a £96,000-a-week development.