Brentford striker Ivan Toney says he could well have ended up at Celtic last summer if the Scottish club had been able to agree a fee with Peterborough.
When asked about the possible switch to Parkhead in a recent interview, the 25-year-old confirmed he even spoke to Celtic boss Neil Lennon:
“That was close. I spoke to a few people there and I spoke to the manager, but just couldn’t get a deal over the line.”
The Hoops were unable to come up with the funds to sign Toney, who subsequently moved to the Bees where he has scored 28 league goals in the English Championship this season. Fans on Twitter are understandably still disappointed that the transfer didn’t materialise:
Penny pinching board buy will spend millions buying duds we just loan out.
— Belmulletbhoy (@belmulletbhoy) April 8, 2021
I wonder why the deal didn't get over the line?
— The Star Above The Crest (@DaithiAindrea) April 8, 2021
Missed out on a player who’s doing more than Eddy or Griff have done this season. The guy is hugely talented
— OvOShuggz (@OvO_shuggz) April 8, 2021
That Peter Lawell. Up to no good as usual. What’s he like eh. Oor Peter.
— Sean Gaffney (@Velociraptor198) April 9, 2021
Toney and McGinn would have made a huge difference this season.
— Celt Abroad (@Celt_abroad) April 8, 2021
Toney is now reportedly worth around £25m, with the likes of Arsenal, West Ham and Leicester all weighing up possible bids for the forward at the end of the season.
It is very much a case of ‘what might have been’ if Celtic had managed to agree a deal to sign the Englishman. He is now almost certainly outside the club’s price range.