Ivan Toney is a striker who is being chased by both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
It has been claimed that the Brentford hitman would prefer to move to North London rather than the East End.
West Ham could really do with signing Ivan Toney, that goes without saying, but he could be set to join Tottenham unfortunately.
At the start of the summer, the chief priority for both the Hammers and Spurs would have been to sign a proven centre-forward who has a track record of scoring goals.
Julen Lopetegui got there first with the signing of Niclas Fullkrug, and the Germany international has already promised the West Ham fans that he’s in the best shape of his career.
I think that the 31-year-old will prove to be a very good signing for the Hammers, and he should suit Lopetegui’s system perfectly.
However, I’d be a liar if I said I wouldn’t be a little bit envious if Tottenham got their hands on Toney this summer.
Now, a new update has been provided on Spurs’ interest in the England international, and it could be painful to read for the West Ham fans.
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So the former Newcastle and Peterborough hitman seems to be all set to leave Brentford this summer.
He’ll be out of contract with the west London outfit next summer, so I have no doubts they’ll sell him at some point over the next three weeks.
Where will his next destination be though?
The striker’s options seem to have dwindled down to just two clubs – the Hammers and Spurs.
However, it seems like Tottenham are the club showing the most ambition to sign the target man striker.
According to talkSPORT transfer guru Alex Crook, Tottenham are showing a concrete interest in signing Ivan Toney this summer.
Now, if Spurs do end up bringig the 28-year-old striker to north London from Brentford, it will be a big statement of intent.
The Bees want around £50 million for Toney, according to The Daily Mail, and that is obviously a ballpark that West Ham are not prepared to play in.
Instead, the Hammers opted for Fullkrug – a £22.5 million signing from Borussia Dortmund.
Listen, I’m not doubting the German’s ability whatsoever, but it would be foolhardy to suggest that the 31-year-old is on the same level as Toney.
The Brentford ace is three years younger than Fullkrug as well.
The England international has bagged 72 goals and 23 assists in 141 games for the Bees, and he is one of the strongest strikers in world football aerially.
Ivan Toney is a lethal finisher, and has the ability to play at the very highest level of the game.
Sure, he has a questionable attitude, but all great players have an edge, and the 28-year-old’s skillset will make him a game-changing player for whichever club wins the race for his signature.
Tottenham signing Ivan Toney and West Ham bringing in Niclas Fullkrug would represent a huge gulf in class between the two clubs…as much as it pains me to admit that.