But they have started planning for life without the big man with potential replacaments already identified. Posh will make Toney the most lucrative contract offer in the club’s history if they are playing Championship football next season, but accept they will lose him if they are still in League One.
Posh could easily receive £10 million for Toney if football club finances survive the current pandemic which might even buy two new strikers!
The Peterborough Telegraph asked Posh fans to throw up some candidates to fill Toney’s considerable shoes. We then invited football data analyst James Mayley (aka @ReportPosh on Twitter) and Scottish football expert Kevin Swann (@SwannyEDB) to add their opinions.
Former Posh players, and one current player, were suggested as were current League One hotshots and reserve team players at Premier League and Championship clubs, sons of famous fathers and young prodigies who have rather lost their way.
We’ve run the rule over the main candidates here.
9.
JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS. Current club: Bristol Rovers. Clarke-Harris is improving all the time and at 25 he should be at or near his peak which could make him a person of interest. He’s banged in 24 goals in 42 League One games for a modest Bristol Rovers team. Rovers have also revealed some huge financial losses recently so they could be vulnerable to a bid if Ferguson, who worked with Clarke-Harris as a teenager at Posh, fancies bringing a player with pace, strength and a rocket shot back to the club. James Mayley thinks it unlikely. He said: “Clarke-Harris would probably cost more than Posh would be able to sell him for in two years so, although he’d be a good immediate option, it won’t happen.” | 2019 Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Europe
10.
RICKY-JADE JONES. Current club: Posh. What if the answer has been staring us right in the face over the last six months and the player to step in for Toney is already at the club? Jones' sheer speed makes him a threat to any defence and he’s shown in his handful of first-team appearances that he can finish. But, and it’s a big but, Jones is still only 17 and there is clearly work to be done on his physique as well as his technique. Throwing him in now, especially to replace the best current player in League One, would be a tremendous risk and not likely to succeed. It could also harm a young player’s confidence so promoting from within is ruled out. | Joe Dent/JMP Photo: Midlands
11.
JOHN MARQUIS. Current club: Portsmouth. When Pompey signed Marquis in the summer I fancied it would help them lift the League One title. But, bizarrely in my opinion, Pompey have not always used a deadly finisher right up top. He's often played in support of another less-gifted forward like Ellis Harrison. Could Posh prise him away? Unlikely, but I'd love to see them try and Marquis and Darren Ferguson have a close relationship from their days together at Doncaster. The player would be better suited to a Ferguson team than a Kenny Jackett team. | Joe Dent/JMP Photo: Midlands
12.
TOM EAVES. Current club: Hull City. It was a surprise to see this powerful striker step into the Championship from Gillingham, but he'll be back in League One soon enough once the coronavirus crisis has passed. He's way off Toney's level both as a target man striker and a goalscorer. Far too limited and he should be avoided by a team with an eye on success in the Championship or League One. | 2019 Getty Images Photo: Hilsea Portsmouth