Newcastle emerging as genuine contenders to re-sign Ivan Toney?

Newcastle United are reportedly in the race to sign Brentford forward Ivan Toney this summer.

The 27-year-old is widely expected to leave the Bees during the upcoming market, with Arsenal and Chelsea said to be among the clubs keen to secure his signature.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Manchester United are also contenders for the centre-forward, with Brentford head coach Thomas Frank admitting that the Englishman will "most likely" leave in the upcoming market.

According to TEAMtalk, there is also interest from Toney's former club Newcastle, with the Magpies looking to boost their forward options for the 2024-25 campaign.

Alexander Isak has scored 14 times in 25 appearances this season, but he has struggled with some injury problems, while Callum Wilson is out of contract next year and could be sold in the upcoming market.

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Toney previously represented Newcastle between 2015 and 2018, but he only made four appearances during his time with the Magpies, failing to score in the process.

Following a number of loan spells, the forward ultimately joined Peterborough United on a permanent basis in 2018, netting 49 goals in 94 matches for the club before moving to Brentford.

The Englishman has managed 71 goals and 21 assists in 128 appearances for the Bees, including 35 goals and nine assists in 70 Premier League outings.

Toney netted 20 Premier League goals last term, while he has three goals in four appearances this season since returning from a betting-related suspension in January.

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The striker's contract talks with Brentford have allegedly stalled, and his current terms with Frank's side are due to expire in the summer of 2025.

Toney is also believed to be attracting interest from clubs in Germany, with the forward set to have a number of options if he wishes to depart in the upcoming market.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will allegedly push for his club to sign the Englishman this summer, but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners are prepared to meet Brentford's asking price.

There were suggestions in January that the Bees valued Toney in excess of £100m, but his contract will only have 12 months left to run this summer, meaning that Frank's side will not be in such a strong position to negotiate a high price in the upcoming market.