Tottenham transfers: Source details thrilling Postecoglou plan to sign 160-goal Harry Kane replacement for £80m in January window

James Marshment 02 Sep 2023 11:16 AM

Tottenham may have signed Wales forward Brennan Johnson in a £47.5m deal on deadline day – but Ange Postecoglou’s attack is far from the finished article with a big-money approach for Brentford striker Ivan Toney planned in January, per an informed source.

The Aussie coach has made a fine start to life at Spurs, taking seven points from three games ahead of Saturday’s match against Burnley at Turf Moor. A win over the Clarets could send Tottenham to the top of the table.

While Johnson, who has signed a six-year deal at Tottenham, will not be eligible to make his debut on Saturday, his signing is sure to be one that adds another dimension to their attack.

Postecoglou readily admits that replacing the incredible goals output of Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich for a deal that could top £95m, will be next to impossible.

Instead, the 58-year-old has taken a somewhat dynamic approach to the conundrum by looking to spread the goals around his side. To that end, James Maddison in a free-role at No 10, together with new club captain Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski off the wings will all be expected to contribute.

Spurs will also hope for more from Richarlison, whose output has been disappointing so far. However, with Johnson another option to play up front, Postecoglou now has more options to pick from.

However, Tottenham observer Alasdair Gold claims he can see Tottenham following up on interest in Brentford talisman Toney when the January window opens for business.

The England striker is currently serving an eight-month suspension after breaching the FA’s betting regulations. That ban ends in January, by which time he will have just 17 months remaining on his deal.

Gold tips Tottenham to raid Brentford for Ivan Toney

And with Toney making clear his ambitions to play at a higher level, it is a realistic possibility that Brentford will be forced to consider his sale in the January window.

Now Gold has admitted that he senses an opportunity for the Tottenham.

In a Q&A on FootballLondon, Gold made clear why he can see Postecoglou making a move in the winter window for the £80m-rated hitman.

“There’s certainly interest in the striker as there will be from plenty of clubs,” Gold said.

“I’d imagine Spurs are among those having a proper look in January. Toney returns from his ban against them so they’ll get a very close up look!”

Toney has a plethora of admirers after blasting in an impressive 160 goals in 392 career games. His record in the Premier League reads 32 goals in 66 games, proving he has what it takes to score at the highest level.

Arsenal’s summer signing Declan Rice also feels comparisons between Toney and Kane are inevitable.

“He’s kind of like Harry Kane in a way where he’s not only an out-and-out striker, he’s a playmaker as well,” Rice said in September last year.

Toney claims Brentford boss Thomas Frank is well aware of his intentions to move on too.

“Whenever that time comes, so be it,” Toney told the Diary of a CEO podcast, when asked if he is prepared to leave. “My time at Brentford has been good; one of the best times of my career.”

Tottenham Hotspur Ivan Toney