The Daily Express has reported that the striker Ivan Toney has informed Brentford that he wishes to leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window. This follows a report from The Mirror which stated that Spurs, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all interested in making a move for Toney in January, once his ban has expired.The report further stated that Brentford would be willing to pay £60m for Toney, even though he has only 18 months remaining on his contract, and that the club would be content to retain him until the summer if the valuation was not met.

Toney has explained his desire to leave Brentford

According to the Express, Toney, who rejoined his team-mates last week, has informed Brentford of his desire to pursue a new challenge. The publication reports that Toney has met with Thomas Frank, the club’s manager, to inform them of his decision.

The Express further reports that the three London clubs are the frontrunners for Toney’s signature, and that Brentford have already begun the process of recruiting replacements in anticipation of Toney’s departure.

In our opinion

I anticipate Chelsea to prevail in the race to secure Toney’s signature, as they are in dire need of a striker and a centre-forward, far more so than either Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal. I do not believe that singing an unrestricted number nine will be a priority for Posteocognou in January, as he is content with a balanced front line.

 

In a related development:

‘INCREDIBLE’: MICHAL OWEN STUNNED BY WHAT TOTTENHAM WERE DOING IN STOPPAGE-TIME V ARSENAL

Michael Owen praised the ‘bravery’ shown by Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal on Sunday, saying that it was ‘incredible’ from ‘Ange’ Postecoglou to use’six’ Tottenham players bombing forward in stoppage-time at the Emirates.

Spurs have had managers with trophy-winning sides in the past, but their defensive style has often been a problem.

In the second half of Sunday’s match, Arsenal were trying to fight for the three points, but were being overwhelmed by Tottenham’s newly-formed, attack-minded team.

It’s easy to overlook that Spurs are unbeaten in these early games, but it’s the front-foot style they’re playing with that is catching everyone’s attention.

At the end of the first half, you would have thought the home team would have been out on top and looking for the winner. Instead, Arsenal were struggling to get the three points they deserved as this newly-improved and attack-minded Spurs team found themselves under pressure.

In the second half, Michael Owen noticed’six’ Tottenham players bombing forward and said it was ‘unbelievable’ from Ange Postecoglou to use this tactic at the Emirates, according to Premier League Productions.

In recent years, Tottenham have had trophy winners in the dugout, but this tactic has not worked and the defensive style of the managers has also been a problem.

Aside from the fact that Tottenham have been unbeaten in these early games, it is the front-foot style they are playing that is catching everyone’s attention.

Tottenham’s style of play

“Literally as the referee blew his whistle at the end of the game, there were six bodies and one within another second or two that was arriving.

“It’s just incredible, away at the Emirates. I love what the new manager is doing. I love that, before the game, Postecoglou said ‘we will learn nothing if we just sit back’. I truly believe that.

“If you are going to improve as a team and you are Tottenham, and your ambitions are to be a very good team, then you can’t just go and sit back behind the ball in every single game you play. You have got to take risks.

“You might get beaten once or twice by a big scoreline. That’s how you improve and learn. – I love his bravery and I thought Tottenham were really brave and deserved the point.”

Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham

At the end of last season, when Spurs were falling apart, fans were calling for him to be re-hired, as he was at the time available.

But, given how he has begun life at Chelsea, and how he has begun at Spurs Way, it was probably the right decision not to.

The way he speaks to the press, the way he plays, the courage and freedom he brings to the club – it has everyone onside.

Spurs deserved their point against Arsenal on Sunday and, had they started better, they would have probably won.