Tottenham could reportedly consider making a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney as a potential replacement for Harry Kane.
The transfer rumours surrounding Harry Kane have begun to heat up in the last few days, with Bayern Munich apparently the frontrunner for his signature. The Bavarians have had two bids rejected so far, while Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is believed to be an admirer of Kane’s talents.
According to Football Transfers, Tottenham will make a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney in the event that Kane departs this summer.
Having pleaded guilty to multiple betting charges back in February, Toney, 27, has been slapped with an eight-month ban from all football-related activity. He will return to competitive action for Brentford on January 16, 2024.
The England international, who netted 20 goals in 34 Premier League appearances for the Bees last season, is being considered as an option by Spurs for the 2024 January transfer window. The report adds Spurs CEO Daniel Levy would prefer to keep hold of Kane until then, before signing Toney.
Ivan Toney to Tottenham—Should Spurs make a move?
Harry Kane is entering the final year of his contract, and with him making his exit wish known, Tottenham have had to start looking for a replacement. With a third bid from Bayern in excess of €80m to be expected, Spurs hierarchy have since felt that Brentford striker Ivan Toney represents the perfect successor to Kane.
Toney enjoyed an exceptional 2022/23 season, netting 20 league goals in 33 matches. Those numbers were more than Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, with only Kane and Erling Haaland scoring more than the Brentford striker.
Currently, there are two options facing the north Londoners. One is that they make a move for him this summer, despite his ban until January 2024. Otherwise, if Kane stays, then Tottenham could wait until the January transfer window before landing the Bees star.
Kane’s importance to Tottenham over the years remains unparalleled, and if he’s to leave then new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou must adequately replace him at the focal point of his attack. Toney isn’t quite up to the level of Kane but he has the required qualities to spearhead Tottenham’s attack. With his pace and power, he could make Spurs more potent going forward as well as give them another dimension from set-pieces.
Keeping in mind Toney is unavailable for the first half of the 2023/24 season, letting go Kane and perhaps relying on the likes of Richarlison and Son Heung-min until January would be a big gamble from Postecoglou and Tottenham. However, it could now be that Spurs instead swoop for the English striker, putting aside his ban to find the natural successor to the unstoppable Kane.