Potential destinations for Brentford's Ivan Toney - ranked
By Ross Jackson
C'mon Brentford fans, you can sit there and act annoyed all you want but you know as well as we do that if you don't get promoted then he's not going to be playing for you next season.
In cashing in on Ollie Watkins, Brentford have done...well, they've done what Brentford do and sold their prized asset for big money before replacing him with someone even better.
Ivan Toney has been absolutely superb for the Bees this season. Not only has he replaced the goals Watkins brought to the club - bagging 23 as well as nine assists in his 28 Championship outings as he looks set to smash the second tier's record for goals in a season - he's adapted his play to suit the Bees' style, meaning the transition from Watkins to Toney has been utterly seamless.
He's clearly much more than just a goalscorer, and regardless of whether Brentford bottle promotion (again) or not, Toney will almost definitely be in the Premier League next season.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the potential destinations for the former Peterborough man, ranking them in order of likelihood.
6. Tottenham
It seems like there isn't a transfer window that goes by without Tottenham trying to sign a backup striker for Harry Kane.
Having a deputy in every position is key in a league as demanding as the Premier League, but the England man's consistent injury problems mean Spurs are absolutely desperate for a backup centre forward.
Carlos Vinicius hasn't really done enough to suggest he could be the man on the very few occasions he's been afforded the chance, and Toney would be able to carry a goal threat as well as being more mobile than Kane if Spurs needed a plan B late on in games.
5. Wolves
Similarly to Spurs, Wolves have got absolutely no problems when it comes to possessing a world class centre forward - it's their backup options that need work.
With Willian Jose's move only a temporary deal for now and Fabio Silva maybe a few years off being able to lead the line for a club with European aspirations, Toney would be a great addition to Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
It's hard to tell whether Raul Jimenez will return from his horrific injury as the same player he was prior to the head clash with David Luiz, but Wolves could do a lot worse than sign a backup option.
4. Brighton
Brighton's goalscoring troubles are pretty well known and the club haven't exactly been shy when it comes to attempting to rectify said problem in the transfer market.
Neal Maupay is a solid enough Premier League striker, though Brighton need to find someone more clinical if they're to avoid the constant battle against relegation.
Toney is both sharper in front of goal than Maupay and has a better all-round game than the Frenchman, and the Brentford forward could be the man to take the Seagulls up to the next level.
3. West Ham
Is there a team in the Premier League that aren't looking for a striker?
West Ham are another club who spent the majority of the January transfer window looking for a centre forward, and you'd imagine their search will resume come the summer.
Given the strikers reported to be on David Moyes' January wish list, Toney is exactly the type of frontman the Hammers boss wants to add to his squad, and a bid will likely depend on the club's finances.
2. Leicester City
There's no denying that to go from League One to a team fighting for Champions League football in little over a year is some ask, but Toney has stepped up every time he's been faced with a challenge and there's no reason to think he couldn't here.
At 24 years of age, Toney could be a great buy for Leicester as they search for a long-term successor to Jamie Vardy, and the Brentford man's ability to work off the ball and run in behind mean the Foxes wouldn't have to completely adapt their style of play.
1. Crystal Palace
There's no hiding from it - Crystal Palace are just rubbish at centre forwards.
Christian Benteke is never going to come good, Michy Batshuayi just doesn't seem to have the faith of the manager and Jordan Ayew might get eight a season but he's never going to set Selhurst Park alight.
Toney would not only be a perfect foil for Palace's rapid wingers but he can score goals too. The Eagles have made some great signings in recent years, they just need someone at the top of the pitch to bring it all together, and Toney could be just the man for the job.