Newcastle Turn Attention To Signing Former Player For £30 Million, Four Years After £650,000 Sale

Four years after leaving the club for a reported £650,000 fee, Brentford striker Ivan Toney is being linked with a surprise return to Newcastle.

The 26-year-old forward, who scored 12 league goals for the Bees last season, is a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs this summer, including Manchester United.

Last week, it was reported that Erik ten Hag's side are 'keeping tabs' on Brentford's most valuable asset as they look to replace the wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo.

Leeds are also looking to bolster their attacking options, with Toney being named as a possible transfer target by The Sun. They suggest Jesse Marsch is keen on giving Patrick Bamford a strike partner next season.

The same report also claims Toney's former club, Newcastle, have turned their attention to signing the Northampton youth product after failing in their attempts to sign other targets.

There was interest in highly-rated French forward Hugo Ekitike for several months, but Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain picked up the Stade de Reims striker on a season-long loan with an option to buy. 

Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby and Real Sociedad man Alexander Isak continue to be linked, also.

But now, in a surprise twist, the Magpies are said to be considering a move for their former striker, who made just four senior appearances for Newcastle between 2015 and 2018.

Ivan Toney - Northampton Town to Newcastle United (2015) pic.twitter.com/i4s9zJtNy0

— Transfersthathappened (@actualtransfers) June 17, 2022

The majority of that stay was spent out on loan. Toney enjoyed spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Wigan and Scunthorpe before earning a permanent move to Peterbrough, where he netted 49 goals in 94 appearances.

He joined Brentford in the summer of 2020, earned promotion with the Bees and enjoyed a solid debut campaign in the Premier League.

Thomas Frank's side will likely be reluctant to let Toney move on this summer, but reports suggest an offer in the region of £30 million could be too good to turn down.

Ivan Toney at Newcastle United
2015-2018
Four games, zero goals pic.twitter.com/Tuj0NgJQnX

— Forgotten Football Signings (@FFSignings) February 11, 2021

Do you think Toney would be a good addition to Newcastle's current squad?

Let us know in the comments.