The Peterborough Telegraph understands ‘The Hornets’ have been monitoring Toney since the turn of the year.
And Posh can expect an offer from the top-flight side even if they lose their ongoing battle against relegation to the Championship.
A source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the PT. “Toney has been on Watford’s radar throughout 2020 and they like what they have seen.
“If they go down they will have £40 million in parachute payments and they would expect Toney to go well at Championship level.”
Posh are believed to want around £10 million for a 24 year-old who scored 26 goals in a shortened 2019-20 League One campaign.
Championship promotion contenders Brentford, Leeds and Fulham have also been linked with Toney, while interest has also arrived from overseas in the shape of MSL side New York Bulls and Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers have also been linked with Toney.
Posh turned down a £4 million bid from New York earlier this month.
Here is a rundown of the clubs chasing Toney with the odds on the move happening...
1.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH: The Cherries play an open, attacking style of play which would suit Toney who likes to get on the front foot himself. Toney would love the quality of those playing alongside him and behind him. If Bournemouth get relegated they will be looking for a Championship-standard striker with the money they will get from an inevitable firesale which would probably include star man Callum Wilson (pictured) and Toney certainly fits that bill. If Bournemouth stay in the Premier League they will probably hold onto star men and Toney might then only be a back-up and he wouldn’t want that in his prime. Swanny’s odds: 3/1
2.
BRENTFORD: The Bees were open about their love forToney in January, but they didn’t get close enough to the £10 million Posh were asking for at the time. It could be Brentford will be promoted to the Premier League this season, but that in itself won’t stop them signing Toney as they are often happy to take a punt on lower division players, like 2019-20 top scorer Ollie Watkins (pictured). Brentford could conceivably get Toney for what they actually offered in January, around £8 million because of the changed financial circumstances in football. Posh have to sell or Toney leaves on a free next summer. Swanny’s odds: 2/1 Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images.
3.
CELTIC: What’s not to like about Champions League football with a team gunning for a record 10th Scottish Premier Division title in a row in front of 60,000 screaming passionate fans at Celtic Park? Add in some soft opponents and the chance for plenty of easy goals and you could see why an ambitious 24 year-old might be tempted to move North of the border. Doubtless new Celtic first-team coach Gavin Strachan (pictured) will be singing Toney’s praises to manager Neil Lennon, but he already has fine forwards at his disposal and Toney might be too rich a gamble. Swanny’s odds: 10/1
4.
FULHAM: The Londoners need to get back to the Premier League this season or face cutting their playing squad costs, according to some well-placed judges anyway. They’d still be cash-rich compared to most Championship clubs and if they want a powerful, well-built striker capable of leading a forward line physically while still scoring plenty of goals to replace Aleksandar Mitrović (pictured) they won’t find a better one that Toney at an affordable price. If Fulham do win promotion their chances of directing even a second glance towards Toney are remote. Swanny’s odds: 6/1 Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.