Whelan shares verdict on Leeds signing ‘incredible’ Toney after record-breaking season
Noel Whelan doubts Leeds United will be able to sign Ivan Toney following Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League.
The former Leeds hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims the Bees will be relegated next season if they sell their star man.
In March, TeamTalk reported that Leeds have been in contact with Brentford over a potential summer move for the forward.
Toney, 25, scored a vital penalty in Brentford’s 2-0 playoff win against Swansea at the weekend.
He also broke the Championship goalscoring record for a single season as he notched 31 goals in 45 games.
Whelan insists Leeds will struggle to sign the forward this summer as the Bees have no incentive to sell after their promotion.
“As long as I can remember, Brentford have been a selling club,” Whelan told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Whenever they haven’t made the Premier League they have sold players. That’s how their business works.
“I can’t see that happening this season. Now they’re up. Ivan Toney will be a wanted man after his incredible performances this season.
“They will want to be as strong and as competitive as possible. Brentford will make their own signings.
“They could spend most of their TV money and that wouldn’t guarantee Premier League safety.
“That’s why I think it will be very hard to sign Ivan Toney this summer.”
Toney only joined Brentford last summer after enjoying two prolific seasons at Peterborough.
He was previously at Newcastle United but only made four senior appearances for the club.
In other news, Leeds told to offer Costa plus cash for relegated 28-yr-old ‘very keen’ on move.