Ivan Toney could make a Premier League return but has been advised to favour Newcastle over Tottenham
Former Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney should opt against a reunion with his former Brentford boss Thomas Frank at Tottenham, and sign for Newcastle instead.
The Al Ahli striker is said to be interested in a return to the Premier League, with several clubs keen on bringing him back to English football.
But Jermaine Jenas, who starred for both Newcastle and Spurs in his playing days, and warned Toney against heading for North London.
Toney scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford, working closely with Frank, before leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2024.
He has been a success in the Saudi Pro League, netting 42 goals in just 62 games, but talk has persisted about a potential return to the Premier League.
Toney had a brief spell at Newcastle after signing under Steve McClaren in 2015, but only made four first-team appearances before joining Peterborough in permanent deal after a series of loan moves..
Success at Peterborough earned him a move to Brentford where, alongside Frank, he helped the Bees win promotion and establish themselves as a Premier League side
Now Jenas, who enjoyed success at St James’ Park under Sir Bobby Robson before leaving for Tottenham in 2005, has cautioned over a reunion with his former manager.
“If I was Ivan Toney, I would probably be thinking Newcastle,” Jenas told 10bet. “You’ve got Champions League football there. Historically, the No 9s at St James’ Park have always been loved, too.
“As well as that, I think the structure at Newcastle is a little bit better than what Spurs have got currently.
“You know, he could be walking into a scenario where the manager at Tottenham, Thoma Frank, his ex-manager at Brentford, could be under pressure at some point.
“At Newcastle, I think all they’re missing is a striker and he could be that guy.”
Newcastle signed two strikers last summer, of course, with Nick Woltemade making an instant impact and Yoane Wissa only just getting his United career under way after three months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Both have the task of replacing Alexander Isak, who left for Liverpool in a £130m deal, but Jenas feels Woltemade is a very different player to the Swede.
“Based on what he has done in his career so far, I would say Isak is just the better striker than Woltemade,” he added.
“He’s a good player. He’s got some work to do to justify what Newcastle paid for him, and I also think Isak is probably better when he’s fully fit.”
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