Aston Villa told to sign Ivan Toney as £40m+ transfer news emerges
Aston Villa have been encouraged to try and lure Ivan Toney back to the Premier League.
Unai Emery started the season with two fantastic strikers at his disposal in Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
However, after Duran’s mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League, which was thought to be influenced by a PSR tip-off after recent Premier League news, only Watkins remains. Therefore, Villa are likely to be on the lookout for another striker to compete with the Englishman next season.
Marcus Rashford has been brought in on loan, and Villa do have an option to make his stay permanent. However, there is no guarantee the 27-year-old is willing to permanently relocate to the West Midlands.
As a result, should they miss out on Rashford, a forward will need to be signed from elsewhere, and Emery has been instructed to try and bring Toney to Villa Park.
| Premier League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Ivan Toney | 85 | 36 | 11 |
Aston Villa told to sign Toney after Samu Omorodion news
As reported by AS (19 February), Villa are interested in signing Porto striker Samu Omorodion, who is valued at £41million and was previously offered to the Premier League club before his switch to Portugal [Ben Jacobs]
However, ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes Emery’s side should try and sign Al-Ahli striker Toney instead.
“I’m sure that Emery knows Omorodion,” King said.
“He is a Spanish striker. Therefore, Emery and his staff will be aware of him. However, he is only 20 years old, so I’m not sure I’d spend £40m-plus on him. If they’re going to spend that kind of money, why not sign Rashford?
“If they can’t get Rashford, go and sign Toney. He is wasting his time in Saudi Arabia, he is certainly getting financial benefits but you can’t tell me he is getting any football satisfaction. That is a Premier League-proven striker.”
Aston Villa in need of a striker after Duran exit
For a club of Villa’s calibre who have ambitions of competing near the top of the Premier League and in Europe, one top-level striker isn’t enough.
Therefore, after selling Duran, a replacement must be brought in during the summer, and if that isn’t Rashford, Omorodion or Toney would certainly both be good options for Emery.
However, it remains to be seen what kind of money would be needed to lure Toney back to England.