Howe might resist paying £45m for Ivan Toney

Newcastle United are in the market for a new striker this summer but haven’t managed to get a deal over the line and the new Premier League campaign is only two weeks away.

Eddie Howe wasn’t’ short of options last season with Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle to choose from, but Wilson spent more times on the sidelines than the pitch (18/38 league appearances), Joelinton was short of goals (4 goals in 35 league appearances), Wood failed to hit the ground running (2 goals in 17 league appearances) and Gayle could barely get a game (8/38 league appearances).

The Newcastle manager doesn’t have a centre-forward that can last a full season and produce more than double figures for goals, so Paul Robinson recommended Brentford striker Ivan Toney as a potential option. He told Football Insider days ago: “If Newcastle are looking at him, he would be a great signing for them.”

Gallery: Premier League: Every club's record signing (FourFourTwo)

It does appear the Magpies are interested in their former player, but he won’t come cheap. Brentford have Toney contracted at the Community Stadium until 2025, so they have no obligation or desire to cash in early or for cheap. Fabrizio Romano (h/t Caught Offside) says The Bees want £45m for the 26-year-old which might be too steep.

Toney scored 12 goals with five assists from 33 league games last season, so he’s more prolific than any striker Howe has. Whether the Magpies boss believes he’s worth £45m remains to be seen, however, as the club refuse to be held to ransom just because they have more money to spend.

In other news, Newcastle right to pursue Jack Harrison