Tottenham have been asked to abandon their plans to sign Dominic Solanke in favour of Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
The north London club are intensifying their search for a new frontman, with Solanke being considered a top candidate amid doubts over the future of current No. 9 Richarlison.
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Spurs hope to sign the 26-year-old from Bournemouth before they move up to the Premier League and Europa League next season.
Solanke earned rave reviews last season after producing his best top-flight performance with 19 goals in 38 league games.
Spurs know only too well that available goalscorers are in short supply and their efforts to replace Harry Kane have led them to the Bournemouth star.
However, former Watford and Birmingham striker Troy Deeney believes Tottenham should instead turn their attention to England star Ivan Toney, who remains keen on a move from Brentford.
Deeney claims Toney would be a better fit for Ange Postecoglou’s side and believes Solanke would be better suited to Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal, who are also looking for extra ammunition to challenge Manchester City for the title again.
“I think Solanke works better at a place like Arsenal where he always has to be in control,” Deeney told The Pitch Prospect.
“If you want to spend £65 million, which is the reported amount, I would expect them [Tottenham] to get Toney if they can get him.
“This is how you test Brentford and leave the offer on the table for a week.”
Spells at Chelsea and Liverpool preceded Solanke’s move to the Vitality Stadium in 2019, a move that helped the striker get his career back on track after mostly supporting roles.
Deeney praises Solanke’s recent rise but doubts the striker has the killer instinct to succeed at the highest level.
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“Dominic is good,” added Deeney. “He’s someone who has learned the hard way what it means to be at Liverpool and then leave.”
“But when I watch Dominic and think he’s a good player, I still don’t see the killer in him. I know he’s scored a lot of goals, but I don’t think scoring a goal is everything for him.”
Chelsea are also said to be interested in re-signing their academy graduate, but Tottenham are said to be ahead at the moment.
Spurs are looking for ways to reduce the transfer fee and could lure the Cherries with a player-plus-cash offer.
However, their hopes of a cheaper offer are unlikely to materialise as Liverpool will have to take 20 per cent of the transfer fee due to a sell-on clause included in the contract that caused Solanke to leave Anfield for Bournemouth.
That could earn the Reds a whopping £13 million if Tottenham meet the player’s £65 million release clause.