Newcastle United told to 'pay' after £40m Ivan Toney update - pundit
Newcastle United should pay Brentford's new asking price for Ivan Toney.
That's according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the club's hunt for a new striker.
This site revealed on 20 April that the Bees will demand at least £30million for Toney this summer amid growing interest.
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has reported (30 May) the Magpies have now been quoted £40million for the Brentford hitman.
Newcastle struggled to find a consistent goalscorer during the 2021-22 season due to Callum Wilson's injury issues and Chris Wood's poor form.
McAvennie insists Eddie Howe's side should bite the bullet and sign the 26-year-old.
"In today's market, is that too much?" McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
"There will be a Newcastle tax, we know that much. But Toney is a fantastic player, a wonderful talent.
"Strikers are the players who go for massive fees. The world has gone crazy for the prices people are paying.
"I really do like Toney though, I think he would be a quality addition for Newcastle.
"If £40million is the price then £40million is the price. At some point they will have to suck it up and pay.
"They need a striker, Brentford know that. It's up to Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth to make the call."
Toney scored 12 goals in 33 Premier League appearances during the recently-concluded season.
He previously played for Newcastle between 2015 and 2018 but failed to make an impact.