There has been a major breaking development in the battle between West Ham and Spurs for striker Ivan Toney.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur are going head-to-head to sign Brentford star Ivan Toney this summer.
Both the Hammers and Spurs are sorely in need of a new striker.
New West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou have made it clear to their bosses they want a new forward in the door.
That has put West Ham and their fierce rivals Spurs on a collision course in the transfer market.
The Irons reportedly held a secret meeting with the family of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke over a move.
But no sooner had those claims emerged, than Daniel Levy was suddenly being linked with a move to lure Solanke to Tottenham instead.
West Ham and Spurs in for same striker targets
Tottenham are even said to be trying to hijack West Ham’s move to sign key Lopetegui target Youssef En-Nesyri.
Hammers News reported 10 days ago on claims of another battle between West Ham and Tottenham – this time for Ivan Toney.
It was claimed Spurs were readying a first official bid for the Brentford and England forward.
There was great news for both clubs at the weekend when it emerged Arsenal have pulled out of the race after a meeting with Toney went pear-shaped.
Now there’s a major breaking development in the battle between West Ham and Spurs for striker Toney.
Because that bid we reported on has been submitted and Tottenham have an answer.
Major development as West Ham and Spurs battle for Toney
Spurs have looked to beat West Ham to Toney by lodging an official offer of £40m according to Football Transfers.
But the race is still wide open because the bid has been rejected by Brentford.
Worryingly for West Ham, though, the report claims Toney has agreed in principal via intermediaries to personal terms with Tottenham.
Toney is still very much in play, though, for the Hammers after Tottenham’s bid was snubbed.
Further bad news for West Ham – and indeed Spurs – is that Brentford reportedly want around £55m to sell the forward, who turns 29 next season.
Football Transfers claims sources have told them Tottenham have the financial capacity to outbid West Ham for Toney.
On the face of it West Ham have £80m of their £100 summer budget remaining.
Should Hammers push boat out for £55m Toney?
But as Hammers News reported last week, the £100m transfer kitty claim looks to be a red herring with West Ham among the best placed in the entire Premier League regarding PSR.
It’s highly unlikely West Ham would rival Spurs up to £55m, though.
Even if it is guaranteeing you one of the best strikers in the Premier League.
The Hammers are working to a new recruitment strategy under Tim Steidten which is focused on signing players aged between 18 and 25 at around the £15-25m mark.
With six or seven signings planned, blowing half the budget on one doesn’t make sense for West Ham.
Tottenham are planning to offload Richarlison and others in their own shake-up.
News of Brentford rejecting Tottenham’s £40m opening bid may have been on West Ham’s radar at the weekend.
Because a report emerged claiming the Irons are moving for a Spanish forward, which in light of this news, may be as an alternative to Toney.