Stan Collymore, a former striker for Liverpool, has urged his old team to try to acquire Ivan Toney.
The Brentford player has stated publicly this week that he is looking to join a “top club,” and Collymore feels he would be a perfect fit for the Reds in his column for Caught Offside:
“It would be ideal if Liverpool opted to make a move. The Brentford star may be a fantastic addition if any of their already embarrassingly rich forward players were to be let go in the upcoming months. I could envision Toney standing between Salah and Diaz because I think so highly of him.
Collymore recommends that Cody Gakpo go in the other direction and that Jurgen Klopp’s team make a swap proposal:
“Liverpool will probably look at him and say, ‘Not for us,’ but if I were the Reds, I would honestly be inclined to let Gakpo leave and bring in Toney in his place because I don’t think he will end up being a prolific Liverpool striker. I wonder if the Bees would accept an offer that included cash and Gakpo from Brentford? With his ability to play as a typical nine, drop off, and establish partnerships (like he did with Mbeumo), Toney would be a valuable addition to Liverpool. I would personally be calling Brentford.
Given his background, Toney is not a likely target for Liverpool.
Despite his success in the Premier League, the 28-year-old striker from the Bees may not be on the Reds’ radar because of his upcoming birthday in March. You can’t see a bid being entertained, especially when you take into account his valuation, which is reportedly between £80 million and £100 million.
With less than 18 months left on his deal, Toney would still be considered costly even if they could cut the cost by adding a player like Gakpo.
Rivals in the Premier League are also considering Toney.
The interest that teams like Chelsea and Arsenal are expressing in the 27-year-old is perhaps the reason for his exorbitant price. As demonstrated by their pursuit of Moises Caicedo last summer, Liverpool is not afraid to compete with other Premier League teams for players.
Toney’s age and high price tag, together with the competition for his services, make him a less desirable target for the Reds.