Everton are the latest Premier League club to join the transfer race for Brentford star Ivan Toney.
Ivan Toney, 25, is enjoying a brilliant season for Brentford and is the Championship’s top scorer having netted 30 times in 44 appearances. He also has registered 10 assists, helping the Bees reach the play-offs.
The 25-year-old striker is attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs following his sensational Championship campaign and he could be on the move ahead of the 2021/22 season if Thomas Frank’s Brentford fails to secure Premier League promotion. Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Arsenal and West Ham remain interested in Toney’s signature.
Brentford, who are heading into the play-offs for a second year running, are eyeing a sizable profit and are demanding a fee in the region of £35m to part ways with their star striker.
Meanwhile, Everton’s form has dipped of late as they have registered just one victory in their last five Premier League games. This has seen the Merseysiders drop to eighth in the table, nine points behind fourth-place Chelsea, who have played a game more.
Nevertheless, Carlo Ancelotti should be happy with his team’s progress, and if Everton are to break into the top-four next term, the Italian tactician has to make some quality additions to his squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs competition and cover next term
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has arguably been the most improved player under Ancelotti’s management. With 20 goals in 34 games across all formats, the 24-year-old is the Toffees’ top scorer this term. It looks certain to see him in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros, even though he only made his England debut in October 2020.
However, Calvert-Lewin’s form has fallen off a clip of late, with the English centre-forward netting just twice in his last eight league outings. His lack of productivity has directly affected Everton’s form too, leaving Ancelotti’s side with a mountain to climb in order to achieve a European spot.
With Richarlison more effective down the left flank and Josh King heading for an exit with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Ancelotti must prioritise signing a striker to compete and cover for Calvert-Lewin.
Will Ivan Toney be a good signing for the Toffees?
Ivan Toney is one of the hottest properties in Championship football having demonstrated his clinical finishing for Brentford throughout the campaign since arriving from Peterborough last summer. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a record-breaking term at Griffin Park, equalling Glenn Murray’s league-high of 30 goals for Crystal Palace back in 2012-13.
Having excelled in League One and the Championship, Toney deserves a chance in the Premier League. Due to his pace, power and finishing ability, he could very well complement Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in the Everton attack.
The Toffees would certainly benefit from strengthening up front this summer after Calvert-Lewin going off the boil and King’s short-term move not working at all. Toney has the qualities needed to succeed in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football. The former Newcastle United man seems a decent option to cover and compete with Calvert-Lewin next season, whilst improving his overall game under the watchful eyes of Ancelotti.
With Premier League clubs circling around him, Everton must do everything possible to quickly wrap up a deal for Toney.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
