Newcastle United transfer endorsed to Ivan Toney amid Arsenal and Manchester United claim

Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has urged Ivan Toney to re-join Newcastle United this summer.

Reports suggest the Brentford striker could be on the move at the end of the season, with several Premier League clubs interested. Bees boss Thomas Frank admitted a fortnight ago that “it is obvious” Toney - who has just over a year left on his contract - will be sold at the end of the season.

Arsenal and Chelsea are the two clubs rumoured to be monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation. Should he move on, Newcastle can expect to recoup a sizable windfall from Peterborough United, the club they sold him to in 2018.

The Magpies received 30 per cent of his sell-on fee to Brentford two years later and NewcastleWorld understands Peterborough will receive the same fee should he seek pastures new. Newcastle would then earn 30 per cent of Posh’s sell-on fee, expected to be around £6.3million if he leaves for £70million.

Toney was never given a chance on Tyneside as Rafa Benitez required ready-made strikers for a Championship campaign. Having arrived at St James’ Park as a 19-year-old, the forward left Newcastle aged 22 with just four first-team appearances to his name.

Speaking to GGRecon, ex-Liverpool, Manchester City and England keeper James has backed Toney to settle his unfinished business at the Magpies. The 53-year-old highlighted Callum WIlson’s injury record as a cause for concern.

“I think Arsenal is a very interesting and possibly tempting prospect for Ivan,” James said. “Where I think Arsenal fail in games is when they don’t have the physical presence at times against certain teams. To bring in someone like Ivan Toney would be beneficial for them.

“Given Callum Wilson’s injury record this season, I hope he can get himself fit to be in the conversation to go to Euro 2024 in the summer, but if there’s an ongoing issue for him there, then I think there’s a natural fit for Ivan Toney at Newcastle.

“Manchester United have Rasmus Højlund at the moment and he’s been in fantastic form, so does Ivan Toney compliment him up top or does he replace him? I’m not sure how that would work, so at the moment, whilst Manchester United are showing an interest, I believe they would struggle to find a position for Ivan Toney in their starting eleven.”