Door opens for Aston Villa to make Ivan Toney swoop amid loan development
Aston Villa could make a move to land Ivan Toney in January.
Ollie Watkins came off injured for England against Wales, raising fears of leaving Unai Emery without a recognised senior striker at Villa Park.
After Jhon Duran was sold by Villa to Al Nassr, the Villans have failed to sign another number nine to challenge the 29-year-old.
Marcus Rashford played ahead of Watkins at times last season, but with the versatile forward now at Barcelona, that competition is missing in B6.
A move for Toney could now make sense in the Midlands, with a loan deal seemingly on the table moving into the winter window.
Ivan Toney loan move available in January
Villa have been urged to sign Toney in the past after the 29-year-old’s stellar run with Brentford after promotion to the Premier League.
The Englishman became a regular goalscorer in the top tier before going on to be an international player under Gareth Southgate.
The former Newcastle United youngster has always struggled for minutes for the Three Lions, falling behind Watkins and Harry Kane in the pecking order.
Toney will be keen to secure a seat on the plane under Thomas Tuchel when the German picks his squad for the upcoming World Cup.
TalkSPORT reported on 10 October that a loan move to the Premier League could help strengthen his chances of a call-up.
The striker is said to be happy in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli, but a return to England could be on the cards this winter.
If the number nine is available on a temporary deal, it could prove to be the perfect chance for the Villans to improve their squad instantly.
Toney to be perfect competition for Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Watkins has always struggled against true competition at Villa Park.
Danny Ings failed to get the best out of his teammate after his move from Southampton, before Duran outshone the Englishman in the first half of last season.
It was a similar story for Rashford, leading to high hopes for Villa’s number 11 moving into this campaign without another senior striker in the squad.
Watkins has ultimately struggled and has been a letdown in claret and blue, so signing a new forward option could prove to be wise.
It is unlikely that there will be better options available in the winter market than Toney, given his level of experience in the Premier League.
Having scored 38 goals in 54 games since his Saudi move, there is no doubt that he knows where the back of the net is.
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