West Ham co-owner David Sullivan lists failing to sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney as one of his biggest regrets but he could be handed a second chance.
Earlier this summer West Ham were said to be eyeing Brentford star Ivan Toney as their big striker signing.
It was confirmed to Hammers News that West Ham do have a genuine interest in Toney this window.
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg also claimed Toney could be leading the line for West Ham this season.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony claimed majority owner David Sullivan wants a deal to bring Toney to West Ham at a knockdown price.
The race for the Brentford and England striker was ultimately narrowed down to being between the Hammers and Spurs.
But West Ham have since signed Niclas Fullkrug while Spurs have signed Dominic Solanke.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten, head coach Julen Lopetegui and the owners have been very busy this summer.
West Ham links to Toney went quiet until twist
Eight new signings have arrived at the London Stadium.
And it has been confirmed that West Ham could sign more if current players deemed surplus to requirements are moved on.
West Ham are desperately hoping to offload the likes of Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet and Danny Ings.
Not only to raise some funds but clear space on the wage bill and in the squad.
Reports have claimed West Ham are in the market for a second, younger striker.
Villa’s Jhon Duran and Roma’s Tammy Abraham have been linked.
Indeed there’s talk Lopetegui wants to have the option of playing a 352 formation – which is how West Ham ended the opening day defeat to Villa, with Ings and Fullkrug up top.
West Ham respond on the prospect of signing Toney
But it had all gone quiet on the Toney front of late with the striker looking increasingly likely to remain at Brentford after his replacement, Igor Thiago, was ruled out until the new year through injury.
There was a big twist at the weekend, though.
Toney was a surprise omission from the Brentford squad as they beat Palace 2-1 on Sunday.
Bees boss Thomas Frank confirmed Toney was left out due to a possible transfer elsewhere.
But the Dane sparked intrigue by refusing to mention the possible destination.
As well as West Ham, Spurs and Man United, Toney has also been linked with Saudi.
The revelation sparked speculation the Hammers could be in talks to finally sign a player linked with them for years.
‘Very tough’
So Hammers News reached out to the top spokesman inside the club regarding the 28-year-old forward.
Now West Ham have responded on the prospect of signing Toney after the Brentford twist.
The top London Stadium contact says the club would love to be in for Toney.
But the summer spend and PSR rules mean a move is not possible until others are shipped out.
“Sadly we are spent out at the moment,” the top spokesman at West Ham told Hammers News when asked if the club is in for Toney.
“The new Premier League rules are very tough.”
Legendary West Ham goalscorer Frank McAvennie recently urged David Sullivan to sign Toney.
The Scot told Sullivan that Toney was “the kind of striker to bring everything together.”
Sullivan still regrets failing to take Barry Fry’s advice to sign Toney from Peterborough for £10m.
But it seems unless several players can be moved out quickly, he won’t be joining West Ham this summer.
If there is sudden movement at the West Ham exit door and Toney has not moved elsewhere, then don’t rule anything out.
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