Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes former Posh forward Ivan Toney would turn Manchester United into Premier League title contenders.
The 28-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Brentford, mainly because he’s so openly expressed his desire to join a new club since being promoted to the top flight.
Of course, all footballers have their own ambitions, and we’re all aware that a player of his profile and calibre could be playing for a top-six side, but it has been somewhat strange how he’s gone about it – especially given that he captains the Bees.
Toney has one year remaining on his contract in West London, though all expectations are on him leaving this summer, regardless of whether Brentford remain in the division or not. Arsenal and Chelsea have been interested in the past so could ignite their pursuits at the end of the term, depending on the striker’s price tag.
It’s that same reason – Toney’s valuation – along with last year’s acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund that will likely rule United out of any bidding war for the England international. There’s no doubt that he’d bolster Erik ten Hag’s frontline, however, he’d presumably rank behind the Dane and could cost upwards of £100 million.
EFL chairman lauds Toney
Analysing Toney’s rise to the spotlight, MacAnthony told Sky Sports: “Put him in an Arsenal team, put him in a Liverpool or a Man United team, [and] he scores 30 Premier League goals in a season. I think anyone who disagrees with that hasn’t been watching the last two-and-a-half years.
“I think there’s five clubs in the world who could probably end up buying him, and he will improve any of those clubs by a mile. He turns Manchester United into challengers for the Premier League.
He continued: “Having scouted players not just for their technical ability but their personality and their growth for 18 years, I think he’s not even in his prime even though he’s turning 28.
“Whoever buys him, £100m will be well spent because he’s coming into his prime. You’re going to get five or six years of his best. He’s scored a goal every other game in the Premier League for Brentford.”
