According to reports on Wearside, Sunderland are now ‘very interested’ in a deal to sign Newcastle United’s Ivan Toney on loan for the 2018/19 season.
This comes from the Roker Report, who claim that our north-east neighbours have their eye on Bradford’s Charlie Wyke, Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp AND Newcastle’s Ivan Toney, with them keen to sign a new striker ahead of their season in League One.
The 22-year-old has not been included in the squad’s pre-season trip to Ireland and the Chronicle did confirm earlier this summer that Benitez will ‘listen to offers’ for the striker – although it sounds like a loan deal is being discussed here.
Here’s a snippet from the Roker Report’s latest piece on Sunderland’s transfer plans:
“Roker Report understand that Sunderland are very interested in Bradford’s Charlie Wyke, Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp and Newcastle United’s Ivan Toney – but they are just three names on a list of forwards that they remain keen on.
“We’re told that the club have a list of striking targets that they believe can fire us to immediate promotion out of League One, and on there these three men feature prominently.
“We understand that Sunderland are interested in is Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney. The 22-year old former Northampton Town forward has spent the vast majority of his time with Newcastle out on loan at League One-level clubs, and last season played for both Wigan Athletic and Scunthorpe United.
“He’s not the biggest but is strong and technically very good, with an eye for goal.
“We understand that, in the case of Toney, a loan deal could be explored.”
It’s not been made clear yet whether this would be a permanent deal or a loan deal, but it remains to be seen whether this is even a deal we’d be willing to sanction.
Toney doesn’t seem to be in Rafa’s plans, but do we really want to be helping out our bitter North-East rivals?
We shall see, but an interesting one to watch nonetheless.
