Manchester City should now be on the lookout for a new striker signing as Julian Alvarez closes in on his transfer to Atletico Madrid and the price for one possible replacement has just been reduced.
It seems like a summer transfer window hasn’t gone by in recent years without Manchester City waving goodbye to a player who has been crucial to Pep Guardiola’s success.
Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho, David Silva and Vincent Kompany are just a handful of the names to leave but the club have always taken exits in their stride.
If anything, they have gotten stronger, with Guardiola rebuilding his team to secure even more dominance in the Premier League and beyond.
The latest player to follow the trend is Julian Alvarez, who is expected to complete an £82m move to Atletico Madrid this week.
Though it’s a remarkable profit on the £14m they spent on him just two years ago, City will still miss a player as good in as many different roles as Alvarez.
It does leave a hole to be filled and, thankfully, Guardiola has already suggested the club will look to make signings should a first-teamer leave.
City are well stocked in attacking midfield areas with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden being supported by Oscar Bobb, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly so instead a striker should be the priority.
No one City can sign could dislodge Erling Haaland from the starting XI but he shouldn’t be relied upon to play the entire campaign without any help. If he were to get injured, the Blues would be in trouble.
One striker City could consider is Ivan Toney, who has reportedly just been made a lot cheaper.
- Who is Julian Alvarez? The story of the striker who won it all at Man City before joining Atletico Madrid
Brentford ‘tempted’ to slash asking price for Ivan Toney
If City want a quality striker who is a near-guarantee to score goals and would be a more than capable back-up for Haaland, they could do a lot worse than Toney.
The Brentford striker seemed set to get a big move this summer but there has seen surprisingly little interest as the new season approaches.
So much so that, according to Forbes, Brentford ‘could be tempted’ to sell their star asset for as little as £40m.
That’s a price tag less than half of what City are expected to recoup in the sale of Alvarez before even considering the millions they’ve earned from selling academy prospects this summer.
Toney might not fancy a move to a club where he is likely to sit on the bench most of the time but that shouldn’t stop City from considering a move.
Pep Guardiola has already praised Ivan Toney highly
As well as already having 36 Premier League goals to his name, Toney would bring a different dynamic to the attack.
Though he and Haaland are of similar stature, the Norwegian sensation is at his best when he’s hanging on the shoulder of defenders and stretching them with his pace and power.
Toney, meanwhile, is much more comfortable with his back to goal, holding the ball up and bringing others into play.
Guardiola himself has said just how ‘dangerous’ the 28-year-old can be. He said ahead of City’s meeting with Brentford in February: “He is so dangerous.
“He’s a master to use his body for the second ball, good finishing, you can link with him – he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen (at that).
“A few weeks ago the goal we conceded (to Brentford) we defended not properly but he did it really well.
“He’s an exceptional player. Not just long balls, set pieces, penalties he is a guarantee, with free-kicks. For many things. They can link with him. He’s an extraordinary player.
“Happy he is back. Hopefully, that period is forgotten for him and his life and his family. Exceptional players are always more than welcome in the Premier League.”
Toney might not be a typical City signing but a proven goalscorer with useful qualities in the prime of his career at a bargain price must be considered.
