West Ham United transfer news: Fresh Ivan Toney update emerges amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest
West Ham United will have to splash £60m to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford this summer, according to SportsLens.
Writing on their website (11 April), the news outlet reported that the West London club have not lowered their demands despite reports that Toney could be available for as little as £30m this summer [Florian Plettenberg, 10 April].
Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in the England international and West Ham will only make a move for the 28-yer-old if the two London giants opt against a transfer.
“Sources have indicated to SportsLens that Toney remains in the £60m bracket if he is to make a move away from the club in the coming months,” they wrote.
“If Arsenal and Chelsea do not move for Toney then Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham United could step up interest – but none of those clubs would look to compete with the Gunners or Blues.”
West Ham must not waste time in the transfer window
There is clearly a big need for a new striker at the London Stadium this summer, with that issue still rearing its head after several years.
West Ham have spent money on Sebastien Haller, Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca in recent years for the number nine role but all have struggled and it seems likely that Ings will follow the other two out of the exit door this summer.
Michail Antonio is already 34-years-old and has struggled with his fitness this season and could leave in the summer, which has seen Jarrod Bowen often deployed as a central striker.
Toney is a top-class centre-forward and has Premier League experience, and with the level of performance he has turned in at Brentford you would expect him to even improve further with the quality of Lucas Paqueta, Bowen and Mohammed Kudus around him.
But it’s clear Toney wants Champions League football, so if those big clubs are in the race then West Ham would be better off moving for alternative targets rather than wasting their time.
In other West Ham news, £15m striker keen on Premier League move after rejecting contract at current club.
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