TalkSPORT sources say Brentford and Peterborough have agreed £10m fee for Celtic-linked Ivan Toney

By David Walton

August 17, 2020

TalkSPORT sources believe that Brentford and Peterborough United have agreed a £10million fee for Celtic-linked Ivan Toney.

Toney has been the subject of interest from Celtic throughout the summer transfer window (Scottish Sun). However, after completing the £5m signing of Albian Ajeti last week (Sky Sports), speculation regarding the Hoops’ interest appeared to cool.

And now, it looks as though Brentford have swooped for Toney. The deal agreed is reportedly £6.5m upfront with add-ons making the total sum £10m.

Peterborough’s sporting director Barry Fry stated earlier this month that the player’s preferred destination was a move to Glasgow’s East End (Daily Mail).

It doesn’t look as though that interest was two-way after the Ajeti deal.

Not the blow it might’ve been

For a deal that could go up to £10m, it represents a lot of money for a League One striker.

Tony did have a productive season last year of course. He ended the campaign with 26 goals in 39 games (Transfermarkt), and those figures suggest he could’ve made an impact in the Scottish Premiership.

Another striker in the door, however, would’ve meant that the Parkhead front-line would’ve been getting rather crowded. With Odsonne Edouard, Patryk Klimala, Ajeti, and Leigh Griffiths available, there was no overwhelming need to go out and nab Toney for such a substantial fee.

Ivan Toney in action for Peterborough (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

It would also have only heightened fears that the club were getting ready to sell Edouard before the window shuts in October. That’s a narrative we could do without given the importance of the current season.

Toney, meanwhile, is still taking a step-up in his career. Peterborough’s failure to gain promotion last season means he would be jumping up a division should he sign for London-based Brentford.

The Championship outfit reached the playoff final last season, and will have their sights firmly set on promotion to the English Premier League next season.

For us Celtic supporters, many of us will be quite happy with our options up top if the window ends with no departures.

In other news, we discuss why Scottish club chairmen should be careful when talking about points deductions.