There has been some positive news on Ivan Toney’s ban reported this week as the striker appears in court for the first time to respond to betting charges.
Obviously it’s important to state that nobody yet knows what ban Toney will get, and these are just rumours as of now.
But John Cross of The Daily Mirror is a reliable source, and he states that it is understood Ivan Toney could face a ban of up to six months, although that could be served across the summer.
This means that he may well be available again from around September time if other rumours are correct that it could be three months suspended.
For me, we should be ALL over this if the ban does turn out to be what it says above and to be honest, on it regardless. I’d sign him this summer and either put our faith in Armando Broja until Toney is available, or get a striker such as Alexander Mitrovic in on a short-term deal IF that was at all possible.
Toney is THE guy. All these other strikers and options we have been strongly linked with I am far from convinced on. Victor Osimhen is perhaps the only one who does appeal to me, but nowhere near at the quoted fee.
Victor Osimhen
I realise that Thomas Frank has also thrown a ridiculous fee on Toney’s head, and they might attempt to play silly buggers. But if Toney pushes for the move and really wants it, I don’t foresee any issues in signing him for a fairly reasonable fee.
Toney has a market value of £45m and only 2 years left on his current contract, if Brentford are smart they can get a very decent fee for him this summer, much more than they would get for him next summer. I don’t know what sort of strategy they would go for here, but if I was to have a guess then I reckon you’d be looking at something between £55-£70m for him. This is just a guess.
When speaking of all-round strikers who can score goals, be a focal point up top, get involved with link-up play, have a leadership and winning mentality, and also be PL proven, then Toney is your man.
Get on it Chelsea!
