BARRY FRY has told Celtic to pay up if they are to land 24-year-old Ivan Toney. Peterborough’s chairman has been locked in talks with Celtic’s Head of Football Operations Nicky Hammond this week but Posh knocked back the initial offer from the Scottish Champions. Now, in an interview with the Scottish Sun, Fry has told Neil Lennon’s side to get serious if they are to land him.
With 48 goals in two seasons, Toney is hot property at the moment. Peterborough’s failure to get promoted from League 1 has opened the gate to offers from Celtic and Premier League chasing Brentford. Although Fry has accused Celtic of trying to get Toney on the cheap with their low-ball first offer. The striker netted 26 times last season and is likely to command a fee upward of £5m and Celtic could be ready to return and test Posh’s resolve.
“They mentioned they may be selling one or two. I think they’re trying it on to try to get Toney cheap.
“I’ve had experience with Celtic, so I know the score. I know the manager wants a tenth title and he’s identified our bloke as the best.
“Gavin Strachan’s gone there and he’s backed up the opinion of Toney.
“They’ve told Peter Lawwell and Nicky Hammond to go and get him, but they won’t get Toney with what they’re piddling about with, that’s for sure.
“Toney would be a revelation for Celtic, he’d be a star, for definite.
“He’d score 30 to 40 goals up there, he really would.”
Celtic are expected to return for Toney whilst Albian Ajeti ponders his future. Neil Lennon has already prioritised a striker in the transfer window which means that Bayo is likely to be shown the door.
A move for a striker doesn’t, as some suggest, mean that Edouard is away. It will allow the club to readily play two strikers up front and rotate the second striker.
Toney was the subject of an £8m bid from Brentford in January but the club held firm as they chased promotion. Club Chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, confirmed that he would be selling Toney following Posh narrowly missing out on playoff places after the League One season was curtailed.
Celtic and Fry have already negotiated the acquisition of Gavin Strachan this summer after the son of Gordon swapped Assistant to Darren Ferguson to become First Team Coach under Neil Lennon. The Strachan factor may be another reason that Toney may want to trade League One for the Scottish Premiership as he knows someone to help him settle into a new club, should a deal be agreed.
