Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is reportedly keen to bring former Brentford striker Ivan Toney back to the Premier League in a bid to solve his side's glaring issues in front of goal.
Spurs' Striking Crisis Laid Bare
Despite a resounding 4-0 victory against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday, Tottenham's domestic form has been inconsistent. This was highlighted by a tepid 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea last weekend, a performance that drew boos from sections of the home support.
The root of the problem is a severe lack of goals from the club's recognised forwards. Incredibly, centre-back Micky van de Ven is the club's top scorer with six goals. Defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha and winger Brennan Johnson are joint-second with four each.
The strikers' contributions tell a worrying story: Richarlison has three goals, Mathys Tel has a single strike, and summer signing Randal Kolo Muani is yet to get off the mark. Key acquisition Dominic Solanke has been restricted to just 49 minutes due to injury and has also failed to score.
The Toney Transfer Link
According to a report from talkSPORT, Frank is now looking to a familiar face to rectify this situation. The Danish manager wants to orchestrate a January move for Ivan Toney, whom he managed for several successful years at Brentford.
Toney, 29, left Brentford for Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli in the summer of 2024 in a £40 million deal. He has continued his prolific form in the Middle East, netting 41 times in 59 appearances. However, his mammoth wages of £400,000 per week present a significant financial hurdle for any potential return to England.
A 'Perfect Fit' for Tottenham
Despite the financial complications, the move is being labelled a 'perfect fit'. TalkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook has publicly backed the potential transfer, citing Tottenham's clear need for a proven goalscorer and the existing, successful relationship between player and manager.
A compelling factor could be Toney's international ambitions. Having been left out of the last two England squads, a return to the Premier League could boost his chances of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's plans for the upcoming World Cup. The opportunity to work again with Frank, under whom he scored 72 goals and provided 23 assists in 141 games for Brentford, may also tempt Toney to accept a substantial reduction in his current salary.
Frank himself stoked the speculation last month, telling reporters, "Of course, Ivan Toney I coached for a few years, top player, top guy, very good striker, so let’s see what happens in the future." All eyes will now be on whether Tottenham can turn this reunion into a reality when the transfer window reopens.
