Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has labelled Ivan Toney ‘one of the best I’ve ever seen’ as Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur line up the £50 million-rated Brentford striker. 

Now, Guardiola has a habit of letting his mouth run away with him a little when raving on about the talents of opposition players.

The Man City manager famously described Matheus Nunes as one of the finest footballers on planet earth ahead of a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon, and then rather brutally rowed back on those claims after luring the Portuguese international to the Etihad Stadium.

His effusive praise for Ivan Toney, however, is no repeat of that. Or, indeed, that memorable Nathan Redmond exchange, the Brentford talisman a proven, 20-goal-a-season Premier League marksman these days.

Pep Guardiola hails Brentford striker Ivan Toney

“He is so dangerous,” Guardiola said of Toney before and after Tuesday’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Thomas Frank’s side.

“He’s a master at using his body for the second ball… Good finishing. You can link with him, he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen (at that hold-up play).

“A few weeks ago the goal we conceded (a goal to Toney). We defended not properly but he did it really well. (Brentford) have the ability with Ivan Toney.

“He’s a master player. A really good player.”

To some extent, Guardiola’s adoring adoration of the late-blooming center forward explains why Toney was received so warmly upon his return following a protracted ban. It also clarifies why HITC Football believes that Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal are among his admirers, and why Brentford supporters will be devastated to see him go.

As he nears his prime, Toney has not hidden his desire to move on to a so-called “bigger club.” Furthermore, HITC is aware that Brentford may accept offers up to £50 million, given his contract’s expiration in 2025.

It’s possible that Igor Thiago has already come as a successor. For £30 million, the frontman for Club Brugge signs with the Bees.

A Harry Kane replacement at Spurs?

The former Newcastle United prospect might step in to cover for Harry Kane if he ends up at Spurs. Toney and Kane have more in common than not because of his formidable finishing, skillful link-play, and versatility—he can lead the line as a “number nine” or drop in as a “ten.”

In contrast, Arsenal has scored 11 goals in their last two Premier League games. However, it’s still widely agreed upon that Mikel Arteta’s versatile, dangerous team would gain from the acquisition of a true, elite center forward.