Ange Postecoglou explains why Tottenham did not sign Ivan Toney after opting for £65m Dominic Solanke deal


Ange Postecoglou explained his reason for not signing Ivan Toney by saying that he preferred Dominic Solanke.

Toney had been heavily linked with a move to north London as uncertainty over his future at Brentford grew over the course of the previous Premier League season.

Tottenham have decided not to sign Ivan Toney this summer

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Tottenham have decided not to sign Ivan Toney this summer.

In the end, Spurs decided to sign Solanke from Bournemouth for £65 million.

This came after he scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Cherries last season.

This cleared the way for Toney to make a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli for a transfer fee of £40 million.

Postecoglou explained Tottenham’s decision not to sign Toney as follows: “We looked at him, but the reality was that Dom [Solanke] is what I wanted.

“It took all summer to get him, but he was the one who fit the profile we wanted.”

While Toney hopes to succeed in Saudi Arabia, Solanke is still adjusting to life in north London.

Solanke had a difficult start at Tottenham, with his new team winning just one of the three games he played in.

The 27-year-old is yet to score and will now be desperate to score for the Lilywhites when they face Brentford on Saturday night. LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on The Pitch Prospect 2.

But Postecoglou had only positive things to say about Solanke.

“He has settled in really well,” said Postecoglou in his press conference before the game on Friday.

Here's a look at Toney and Solanke's stats compared to their last two Premier League seasons *Toney missed five months of the 2023/24 season due to a betting ban

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Here’s a look at Toney and Solanke’s stats compared to their last two Premier League seasons *Toney missed five months of the 2023/24 season due to a betting banPhoto credit: The Pitch Prospect/Opta
This led to Toney moving to Al Ahli for £40 million

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This led to Toney moving to Al Ahli for £40 millionPhoto credit: Instagram @alahliclub.sa
Meanwhile, Spurs have spent £65 million on Solanke, who has yet to score a goal for the club.

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Meanwhile, Spurs have spent £65 million on Solanke, who has yet to score a goal for the club..

“There is still a lot to be expected from him because he is injured. He has only played two and a half games for us.

“He just needs to play a few games.

“But what I’ve seen in the games he’s played suggests he’s going to be a real asset to us.

Troy Deeney urges Tottenham to buy Brentford’s Ivan Toney instead of Bournemouth star Dominic Solanke

“I have no doubt that he will make a great contribution.”

Tottenham vs Brentford kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 21 September and will be broadcast live exclusively on The Pitch Prospect 2.