Newcastle United’s decision to sell Ivan Toney for just £350,000 isn’t looking the smartest one now he’s attracting bids of over TWENTY times that amount a few years on.
The 24-year-old has been involved in 64 goals over the past two seasons (including goals and assists) and is currently one of the most in demand players the EFL has to offer.
There is one small silver lining for Newcastle United, however. The Chronicle claim we inserted a sell-on clause in his contract when he left for Peterborough two years ago – and it looks like we’re set for a hefty windfall ahead of a seemingly imminent big money move for the striker this summer.
Peterborough co-owner Darragh MacAnthony says the club have agreed a deal to sell him in recent weeks, and it’s said we’re likely to receive a ‘seven figure’ fee from the League One side once a sale goes through.
Here’s what MacAnthony told the Hard Truth podcast:
“It’s been a frustrating time with regard to Ivan,”
“I’ve had Celtic fans telling me we shouldn’t be asking £5m for a League One player, but believe me the deal we negotiated a couple of weeks ago was for a lot more than that.
“Ivan was given permission to speak to the club but so far nothing has happened.
“There are other clubs negotiating to buy him.
“Others are going to join the party. There are Premier League clubs having recruitment meetings in the next few days.
“There’s a big club, which isn’t in England, involved, but we won’t have our pants pulled down on the fee.
As MacAnthony says above, it sounds like a fee well in excess of £5m has been agreed between Peterborough and an unknown club outside of England for the striker.
That said, he seems to suggest that several others clubs are in talks and expects a few Premier League sides to join the race ahead of upcoming recruitment meetings.
Another talented youngster we probably let go of too soon (he may not have cut it at this level but we managed him poorly), but at least we included a sell-on clause in his £350,000 move to Peterborough!
Hopefully the ‘seven figure’ fee recouped goes straight into the ‘£30m’ budget Steve Bruce is believed to be working with this summer.
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