Liverpool look likely to be in the market for a new forward over the summer transfer window.
Although the Reds have got a number of high quality options in attack already, it feels as though they’re still missing something.
As a result, it has been claimed that a new striker will be targeted. Whether that’s a wide player or someone to play through the middle remains to be seen.
With Darwin Nunez misfiring over the final part of the season, there’s an argument that a new, natural No.9 is something that could elevate Liverpool to the next level under Arne Slot.
And with that in mind, pundit Darren Bent has urged one member of the England squad to jump at a move to Anfield if the opportunity arises.
Darren Bent urges Ivan Toney to leave for Liverpool
There is certainly a lot riding on pre-season for Nunez. While it has been claimed that Slot is planning for the season ahead with him as a key player, the Uruguayan needs to sharpen up.
For the moment, Liverpool appear to be sticking by Nunez and we think that’s the right decision.
However, if Slot is not convinced by the 24-year-old in his early days at the AXA Training Centre, then maybe someone more clinical will be targeted.
There were few more lethal in the Premier League than Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins this season. After hitting 19 goals and claiming 13 assists, Watkins has been tentatively linked to Liverpool in some areas of the media.
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But speaking on TalkSPORT, Bent claimed that the 28-year-old should stay where he is. In doing so, the former Tottenham striker put forward a player who might be more get-able for the Reds.
“If he [Watkins] was going from a middle of the road club that had finished top ten to go to Liverpool I’d go ‘yes, jump at the chance,'” Bent explained.
“Different scenario, Ivan Toney. Liverpool come for Ivan Toney, I’d be screaming at the radio ‘you have to go.’ Brentford, didn’t really do that well this season. For Toney, I’d be like ‘oh my goodness, this opportunity night never come again you have to go’.
Watkins is playing for a club in the Champions League. Fantastic football club, massive fan base. I would hold off.”
Could Liverpool come in for Ivan Toney?
This is far from being the first time Toney has been mentioned in connection to Liverpool. The Brentford man is a supporter of the club after all.
With the Reds needing to be more clinical in front of goal, you can see why a move for someone like Toney could be attractive.
Liverpool have previously been told that signing the 28-year-old would actually be a quickfire way of making them Premier League champions.
Despite that, we can’t say that we’re completely convinced by Toney. He’s a good player who looks set to join Watkins in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the Euros.
However, although Toney is no doubt get-able in the sense that he’d be keen to join Liverpool. Brentford’s price tag make him a no-go.
Back in November, there were claims that the Bees will be looking for £80m to sell their star striker. With Toney well on his way to 30, we can quite safely say that he won’t be given any Anfield opportunity to jump at.