'If he had any common sense,' says Peterborough chairman warning Brentford's London rivals to make one last attempt to sign Ivan Toney

Darragh MacAnthony believes that if West Ham chairman David Sullivan had “any sense” he would try to sign Ivan Toney.

He Brentford The striker was the subject of months and months of transfer speculation last year, with Arsenal and Manchester United Among the clubs interested in signing him.

But his betting charge and subsequent eight-month ban meant any potential move during last season was ruled out.

He returned to football in January and went on to represent England in Euro 2024scoring a penalty in the perfect quarter-final shootout against Switzerland.

talkSPORT reported Last month, Brentford refused to sell the English striker. Ivan Toney for less than £60 million.

But the owner of Toney's former League One club Peterborough believes he knows just the man who would want to try and land the Bees talisman on a cut-price deal.

Speaking to talkSPORT's White and Jordan about where he thinks the England striker will go next, MacAnthony said: “I think for me, the betting man[in me]would say, knowing what David Sullivan is like at West Ham, that he's always fancied Ivan Toney.

“They will basically try to get him with a very reduced offer from Brentford.

“And I know the people at Brentford and they would say 'no chance'. But I know Sullivan will try, and if he had any common sense he would.”

“It would be the best signing West Ham have made in 12 years, rather than a £70m foreign striker who couldn't even get in front of goal.”

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He then confirmed reports that Manchester United were already interested in Toney, and the Red Devils were not the only ones.

“They would have loved to sign him and they should have,” he said. “And the most outstanding player – and don't forget where I live because I live in America – is Tottenham.

“And I think if they take Richarlison and bring him in, they'll ultimately have a top-three team that reflects his style and what he wants to do.”

And despite reports that Posh are expecting a huge sell-on fee for their former player, MacAnthony set the record straight and clarified that it won't be as big as some outlets have made it out to be.

He said: “Sky came out and said they were going to get £15-20m (for Toney), and I thought: 'What are you doing?'

“All the clubs we're going to try to buy think we've got a lot of money. Probably after Newcastle gets their share and everyone else gets their share, we'll end up making three, four or five million.”

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Asked about rumors that Toney wanted a big salary, MacAnthony said, “Well, that's nonsense and I know that for a fact. I know his agent very well.

“I speak to his agent every week because he has two of our players.”

Toney has one year left on his contract at Brentford.

He signed for the Championship-based Bees in 2020 from Peterborough for a fee of £5m and around £10m with add-ons, a Posh transfer record.