Both Nottingham Forest and Derby County are hoping to sign Ivan Toney from Peterborough United in a £5 million summer deal, according to the Mirror (7 August, page 54).
As recently as June, reports emerged suggesting that Posh wanted a staggering £15 million for a striker who scored 26 goals in 39 games last season (Mail, 9 June, page 76).
But, in an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty, you’ll struggle to find clubs willing to invest an eight-figure fee in Toney.
He is completely unproven even at Championship level, after all.
Reduce that price-tag by about £10 million, however, and then you’re talking.
The Mirror reports that Toney, who has been heavily linked with Brentford, Watford and Brighton, has now emerged as a target for bitter rivals Derby and Nottingham Forest.
The Rams and the Reds both missed out on a place in the play-offs last season.
If Toney can replicate his prolific League One form in the second tier, he could be the difference between a mid-table finish and a top six one in 2020/21.
Derby and Forest are reportedly willing to spend £5 million for the one-time Newcastle United youngster, with Sabri Lamouchi’s side potentially seeing Toney as the man capable of easing the goal-scoring burden on 32-year-old talisman Lewis Grabban.
Speaking to the Mail this week, Peterborough chairman Barry Fry admitted that Celtic were Toney’s ‘preferred destination’ – although the Scottish champions were ‘nowhere near’ meeting his price-tag.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
