‘He wants out’ – Tottenham and Chelsea tipped to battle for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer

Gabby Agbonlahor believes Ivan Toney could be at the centre of a transfer tussle between Tottenham and Chelsea this summer.

The ex-Aston Villa striker and talkSPORT pundit has declared that the Brentford star clearly ‘wants out’ in his bid to join a top team.

4

Despite reports that the Bees had dropped their asking price to between £35m-£40m for Toney, talkSPORT understands they are still holding out for at least £75m.

The two-cap England international has made no secret of his desire to join a leading side in his search of silverware.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the 28-year-old in January, while the player has joked about joining Real Madrid.

Thomas Frank conceded in February that it is likely Brentford will cash in on Toney in the summer, who will have just one year left on his contract at the end of the season.

And Agbonlahor admitted that he would be tempted to leave the Bees this summer if he were in his shoes, tipping him for a move to either Tottenham or Chelsea.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Drive with Andy Goldstein, he said: “I’d want to move, because another year at a Brentford team where they’re under-performing…

“You can tell by watching him, and when he speaks in interviews, he wants out. And another year is a long time.

“He’ll think to himself, ‘I can go in the summer and still get really good money.’

4

4

“He’ll go and get £150-£200-grand-a-week, it might be Chelsea or Spurs. He’s going to get the signing on fees as well.”

And Agbonlahor declared Spurs should make Toney a priority signing, arguing that the Champions League hopefuls are in need of a proven goalscorer, with the former Newcastle man boasting 67 goals in 124 league appearances since joining Brentford in 2020.

He continued: “Spurs should be going all out for him. Because they can’t keep with Richarlison, who I don’t think is good enough for them.”

Goldstein also reminded him that the potential transfer would allow captain Heung-min Son, who has played as a striker at times this season, to return to his natural position on the left wing.

Insisting Toney’s arrival could provide Spurs with the squad depth to challenge for top honours, Agbonlahor added: “Son on the left, you can have Toney down the middle, you’ve got [James] Maddison behind.

“On the right you’ve got options. They’ll have [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Brennan] Johnson, whoever else you want to maybe bring in there.

“That’s when you start going to the next level Spurs, and your bench is like Johnson, maybe [Timo] Werner if you wanted to sign him, Richarlison.”  

Despite this, Agbonlahor also admitted that Chelsea could consider making a play for Toney, with current centre-forward Nicolas Jackson yet to convince him of his worth.

Referencing injury-hit summer signing Christopher Nkunku, he said: “But Chelsea as well. Nkunku’s injury problems, could they carry on next season?

“Jackson’s not the answer! Oh wow, he’s not the answer!” 

4

Agbonlahor then hinted that Toney would be a more reliable goalscoring option for Mauricio Pochettino’s side than Jackson, stating: “He must frustrate Chelsea fans watching.

“Like, you don’t know what you’re getting! At a big club you need to know what you’re getting.”

Both sides will have to join a queue of admirers if they are to make the wantaway Bees man their top target, with Arsenal known admirers, whilst Manchester United have also been tipped to pursue him.