Celtic are reportedly “stealing a march” on Rangers in the pursuit of Peterborough striker Ivan Toney, according to a report in the Glasgow Times.
The report claims the Parkhead club have bid £4m plus add-ons for the striker who bagged an impressive 24 goals in League One last season.
According to the report, Rangers are “believed to be interested” but any move would have to be funded by the sale of Alfredo Morelos which may not happen this week.
Lille sporting direct Gerard Lopez admitted the Ligue 1 club are interested in the Colombian striker [RMC Sport] with reports suggesting Rangers rejected a £13.7m bid for the player from the French side [FootMercato].
However, should Celtic’s interest in Toney be serious they will need to cough up closer to £12m for the striker.
Back in January, Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony claimed the club want £10m plus £2m in add-ons if they’re to sell the striker.
“We’ve already said to clubs out there we want 10 plus two,” MacAnthony said [Sky Sports, via Bristol Live].
“Ten million as a fee and £2m in add-ons, that’s the number that would turn our heads.”
This claim is also attributed to Peterborough director of football Barry Fry in the Glasgow Times article.
MacAnthony also took to Twitter to tell a fan to “behave” when asked if Peterborough would sell Toney, 24, for £4m.
The Peterborough chairman then also announced they would rather keep the player – who has one year left on his contract – than sell him for the lowly fee.
MacAnthony would also confirm that the club have had multiple bids for the player from the Premiership, Championship and one team in Scotland.
Rangers are in the hunt for more firepower ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season with Gers boss Steven Gerrard admitting it is one area he is looking to strengthen.
“Hopefully you will see some additions if we can pull off what we are trying to do in the transfer market,” said Gerrard [Daily Record].
“It was quite evident after the winter break, when we were getting suspensions or Jermain had his injuries, that we lacked a bit of firepower.
“So that is definitely one area we are looking at.”
