Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney’s attitude praised after a season of constant transfer speculation which included a new year knockback

Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney’s attitude throughout the 2019-20 season has been praised, particularly after he’d suffered the disappointment of a new year transfer knockback.
Ivan Toney in action for Posh at Burnley in January.Ivan Toney in action for Posh at Burnley in January.
Ivan Toney in action for Posh at Burnley in January.

Posh director of football Barry Fry has revealed Toney asked to leave the Weston Homes Stadium during the last transfer window.

Toney became aware of interest from Championship clubs, but Posh declined his request and insisted he continued to help them in their quest for promotion from League One.

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And Posh officials were delighted by Toney’s reaction to the club’s decision, praising his attitude in a campaign that was ultimately scuppered by the coronavirus crisis.

Posh director of football Barry Fry said: “Ivan wanted to leave once he became aware of interest from higher-level clubs.

“He asked me if he could leave, he asked the chairman and he asked the manager. His agents were pushing as well.

“And fair play to the club owners as they turned down Ivan’s request because they did not want to short-change the fans as letting him go would have meant giving up on promotion.

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“And fair play to Ivan as well because although he must have been disappointed he still turned up for training every day with a smile on his face and he gave everything he had for the club in training and in matches.

“His attitude before, during and after the transfer window never changed. He is a very professional young man and he thoroughly deserves a big move.

“We promised him we would let him go if we didn’t reach the Championship and we will stick to our word.

“Our stance might backfire on us a little with the fee we receive, but we remain confident it won’t.”

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Championship promotion hopefuls Brentford led the interest in Toney in January, while second tier title favourites Leeds United also made an enquiry, but their interest cooled when they were quoted the price for a striker who scored 49 goals in 94 appearances for Posh.

Former club Newcastle United will receive a healthy sell-on fee when Toney does leave Posh.