Newcastle United are discussing making a summer move to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney – five years since selling him.
That is according to a report from The Telegraph, who claim that Newcastle want to spend big in the summer window.
The report states that a host of names are being discussed inside Newcastle, with regularly-rumoured targets like Conor Gallagher, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes mentioned again.
Brentford hitman Toney is also mentioned though and Newcastle are allegedly weighing up a summer move for the striker.
Toney has been in great form this season, banging in 18 goals in 29 Premier League appearances.
The 27-year-old has also earned his first England cap this season, proving himself to be a top Premier League striker.
Newcastle may well be keen but that would involve Toney going back to the club he left in 2018…
It’s hard to see Ivan Toney going back to Newcastle United
Newcastle pounced to sign Toney back in the summer of 2015, landing him after showing promise at Northampton Town.
Toney only ever made two first-team appearances for Newcastle as he spent most of his time out on loan.
Rafael Benitez eventually sold Toney to Peterborough United in 2018 and that’s where the striker started rapidly moving forward.
49 goals in 94 games for the Posh tempted Brentford into a deal, and Toney now has 66 goals in 120 outings for the Bees.
Having endured a difficult time at Newcastle once before, it would be a surprise to see Toney return to St James’ Park.
Additionally, whilst Newcastle do need another striker to support Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, does Toney really make sense?
Links to Joao Pedro – somebody can play out wide or up front – would give Newcastle greater depth across attack but Toney doesn’t have that versatility.
Newcastle would be paying big money for a third striker when it’s already hard enough for Eddie Howe to juggle Isak and Wilson.
Add in that Toney is facing a ‘lengthy ban’ over breaching betting rules and a summer move just doesn’t seem likely – even if Newcastle may wish they could bring Toney back to Tyneside.
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