There have been many strikers over the years that could be classed as “the one that got away” with names as far reaching as Ronaldo (Brazilian) and Lionel Messi at the top of the list.
One that may have passed most observers other than regular visitors to Vital Rangers would be the name of Ivan Toney, a player now being valued at over £30million according to Football Insider.
During the summer, before the signings of Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe had been confirmed, the Brentford forward’s name was continuously being linked with a move to Glasgow, however, after tentative enquiries – and baulking at the price tag – Rangers withdrew from the chase and never got any further than first base.
Have Rangers turned the tide on Celtic financial as well?
Yes
No
Across the city, however, Celtic were keen to make the former Newcastle United academy graduate their marquee transfer but, and this is where it almost becomes a sign of things to come, they were publicly laughed out by Peterborough United’s director of football Barry Fry:
“We received a bid for Ivan from Celtic on Friday and we turned them down flat.
“What’s it going to take to get him? It will take a lot more than Celtic offered.
“It’s their first bid, so I don’t know, they might come back.
“I know Celtic are after another striker down here as well.
“But if we keep Toney and get to the Championship that’s worth £12.5m to us. I’ve told the lad that”
Spoiler alert – they didn’t and it has cost them, massively, Albian Ajeti was signed instead and, despite having a decent goals per minute ratio, he is rarely fit and is about as mobile as Leigh Griffiths after a night out, after years of propping up their bank balance with a successful recruitment strategy, it appears as if the tide has well and truly turned – missing out on a player now valued at £30m? That’s got to hurt.