Lots of Newcastle United fans have been discussing former youth striker Ivan Toney, after the Peterborough forward was linked with a potential summer move to AFC Bournemouth.
Toney joined the Magpies in 2015 from childhood side Northampton Town but only played 41 minutes of senior football over four appearances, before the club turned a £400,000 profit on his services by selling him to the Posh for around £650k in 2018.
Rafa Benitez was often loath to name the Northampton-born striker in his matchday plans between loan spells with Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Scunthorpe and Wigan, but Toney has well and truly kicked on since his move to London Road.
After scoring 23 goals in 55 games last season, including 16 in 44 League One appearances, the 23-year-old has struck the back of the net 25 times in 38 games this term to reportedly attract Premier League interest.
Would you welcome Toney back to St. James' Park?
Yes
No
According to The Sun, Bournemouth are lining Toney up as a potential summer replacement for Josh King at the Vitality Stadium, whilst the Cherries ace is looking likely to leave at the end of the season with Manchester United sniffing around.
Burnley and Championship side Middlesbrough are also watching Toney’s performances with a keen interest, even though the 6 ft 2 forward could cost as much as £13million.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans discussing Toney’s talents and whether Benitez made a mistake by allowing him to leave…
He’s dross in my opinion PL level. not even played championship..
— Danny marris (@dannymarris68) February 12, 2020
Toney is a natural finisher you could see that a mile off, just wasnt given the chance under Rafa and wouldn’t have fitted into Rafas style of play, if our chief executive had any footballing brain he would have put a sell on clause or buy back clause but he hasn’t and didnt
— Paul (@toonarmy2020) February 12, 2020
Hope it works out for the lad, good luck Ivan.
— Andy G (@Tarzyroo) February 12, 2020
Not proven at top yet
— David Singleton (@mindblower46) February 12, 2020
Might do a job for them in the championship next season, might be time to ask questions then
— cal (@callvm17) February 12, 2020
Or he is just scoring goals in a league two divisions below. A PL team being after him doesn’t mean he is PL quality. The lad hasn’t even done it in the Championship…like a Dwight Gayle for instance.
— Rob M (@GeordieRobM) February 12, 2020
He’s scoring goals in League 1 though…can’t fault a Premier League team for letting him go. I doubt he’ll kick a ball in the Premier League for the rest of his career.
— Barry Blakely (@BarryBlakely) February 12, 2020
He could do with a year or 2 in the championship first
— Dayle Barron (@DayleBarron) February 12, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a £20m midfielder’s agent has confirmed his client would consider joining the Magpies this summer.