Tottenham should target Ivan Toney as Dominic Solanke is better suited to Premier League opponents

Tottenham have been urged to abandon plans to sign Dominic Solanke in favour of Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

The north London club are stepping up their search for a new leader, with Solanke linked as a main objective in the middle Doubts about the future of current number 9 Richarlison.

Spurs hope to pick up the 26-year-old Bournemouth ahead of next season's assault on the Premier League and Europa League.

Solanke received rave reviews last season after achieving his best figures in the top-flight: 19 goals in 38 league games.

Available goalscorers are in short supply, as Spurs know only too well, and their efforts to replace them Harry Kane He has taken them to the Bournemouth star.

However, the former Watford and Birmingham striker Troy Deeney He believes that Tottenham should focus their attention on the English star Ivan Toneywho continues to seek to get away from Brentford.

Deeney claims Toney would be a better fit for Ange Postecoglou's side, and believes Solanke would be more suited to Spurs' arch-rivals Arsenal, who are also looking for extra ammunition as they look to fight back. Manchester City for the title again.

“I think Solanke works best in a team like Arsenal, where he has to be on the wing of something,” Deeney told talkSPORT.

“If they're going to spend £65m, which is the reported fee, I'd expect them (Tottenham) to go for Toney, if they can get him.

“Test the waters with Brentford and leave the offer on the table for a week.”

Spells in Chelsea and Liverpool preceded Solanke’s move to the Vitality Stadium in 2019, a move that helped the striker revive his career after playing mostly supporting roles.

Deeney praises Solanke's recent rise but questions whether the striker has the killer instinct to succeed at the highest level.

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“Dominic is good,” Deeney added. “He's someone who has learned the hard way, both at Liverpool and afterwards.”

“But every time I see Dominic and think he's a good player, I still don't see the killer in him. I know he's scored a lot of goals, but I don't think 'the important thing for him is to score a goal'.”

Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in re-signing their academy graduate, but Tottenham are said to be currently leading the chase.

Spurs are looking at ways to reduce the transfer fee with the possibility of tempting the Cherries with a player-plus-cash offer.

However, their hopes of a cut-price offer are likely to be dashed as Liverpool will keep 20 per cent of the fee due to a sell-on clause inserted into the deal that saw Solanke leave Anfield for Bournemouth.

That could mean the Reds get a whopping £13m if Tottenham meet the player's £65m release clause.