Sell-on clause claim as Newcastle United are told to make club record move for Premier League striker

Newcastle United have been told to move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney if they want to secure European football this season.

That was the verdict from Peterborough United chairman Darragh McAnthony, who witnessed Toney’s talented during a goal-laden spell at London Road.

The Bees striker endured a difficult spell on Tyneside earlier in his career as he struggled to force his way into the Magpies first-team squad.

Toney did make two substitute appearances under former United manager Steve McClaren after making a £325,000 move to Newcastle in August 2015.

The frontman repeated those stats under McClaren’s successor Rafa Benitez, but could only find regular first-team experience during loan spells with the likes of Barnsley, Scunthorpe United and Wigan Athletic.

A permanent departure from Newcastle came in August 2018 when Peterborough paid around £350,000 to sign the striker and he rewarded them with an impressive return of 49 goals in 94 appearances in all competition.

His form at London Road persuaded Brentford to spend around £5million to help Toney spearhead their ultimately successful push for a place in the Premier League and the striker scored 12 goals to help the Bees maintain their place in the top tier last season.

After watching his former striker get off the mark in the Bees’ opening day draw at Leicester City at the weekend, McAnthony believes he will help Newcastle push towards a place in Europe, if the Magpies are willing to spend significant money to secure his return to Tyneside.

Speaking on the Hard Truth Podcast, the Posh chairman said of Newcastle: “If Newcastle have an expectation of top six, they’re two attackers short.

“If Newcastle have an expectation of top ten, they get by with what they have. I like their business, They’re definitely going to be top 10, but if they want to a flash at top six they are probably going to need to spend £50million on a Toney type signing.

“I like the fact they’ve given Howe a new contract, I like the fact the fact they’ve walked away from deals because of the greed element.

“There’s obviously a lot of good things happening off the pitch.

“With all due respect to Chris Wood he’s not going to score 15 goals for Newcastle.

“But £50million on an Ivan Toney, and of course I’m saying this as I have sell-ons, but I’m using that as an example, that kind of striker he’s getting 16-25 goals with some very good players in that Newcastle team.

“Eddie Howe knows what he’s doing, he’s a very underrated manager.”

Toney is set to visit Newcastle with Brentford in October - but he could find himself in the home dressing room that day if the Magpies follow McAnthony’s advice.