Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window. Toney, who has already been linked to Spurs once before, seems to remain a target for Spurs.
“Tottenham could consider signing Toni at the end of the season,” says the UK’s Give Me Sport. If the summer transfer window opens and Arsenal and Chelsea are no longer interested in him, they will consider making an offer. Tottenham are hoping that his price tag will drop below £60 million before the negotiating table opens.”
“According to the source, manager Ange Postecoglou could make a move for Toni if London rivals lose interest ahead of the summer transfer window. Tottenham will monitor his situation until the end of the season and will test Brentford’s resolve once they realize that the competition has diminished.”
One of Toney’s strengths that Tottenham valued highly was his goal-scoring ability. He hasn’t scored as many goals this season after being suspended for a while for illegal betting, but last season he was third in the Premier League (PL) with 20 goals, behind Elling Holland (36) and Harry Kane (30).
“Spurs like Toni, and having seen him finish the season as the third highest scorer in the PL last season, they believe he would fit well into Postecoglou’s plans,” said Give Me Sports. “Looking ahead to the summer, Tottenham are keeping their options open and would be willing to sign him if the terms are right.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has not ruled out a move for Toney. “Frank has admitted there is a strong possibility that Toney will leave Brentford in the summer, which will encourage Tottenham to sit down at the negotiating table with a formal offer,” Give Me Sports reported, citing The Athletic, which said that Frank has Toney on his mind.
For Brentford, the upcoming summer is also an opportunity to sell Toney and generate a transfer fee. He has been targeted by several PL clubs over the past two or three years, but none of them have made a move for him. In the summer, however, he will enter the final year of his contract, which will lower his price tag and make him more accessible to other clubs.
If Tosun joins Spurs, it would also mean a change in tactics for Spurs. This season, Mauricio Pochettino has been playing with Heucharlison up front, with Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kouloussevski in the second line. In the recent past, when he has been injured, he has used Son Heung-min up front, as he did earlier in the season.
However, if Tosun comes to Tottenham, Son will likely play fewer games as a striker. Tottenham could alternate between Henry and Toni, in which case Son would naturally fall back to his natural position on the left flank.
If anything, it could be Timo Werner who could find his position shaken up. On loan, Werner plays on the left flank in games where Son is up front, but it’s hard for him to compete with Son for a starting spot. Of course, if the race to sign Toni heats up, Tottenham could pull out, so Werner is worth waiting a bit longer.