Tottenham told to sign £100m Ivan Toney after Ange Postecoglou transfer update in December

We’re delighted to welcome former Scotland right-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Alan Hutton would love for Tottenham to sign Ivan Toney in the January transfer window as speculation continues to link the Brentford striker with a move to North London.

The Mirror reported on Sunday (10 December) that Ange Postecoglou is “optimistic” about signing a new centre-forward next month and 27-year-old Toney is on the radar of Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban for betting on football matches but that expires on 16 January, meaning he'll be available for Brentford - or whoever signs him in January if that happens - will have him for the second half of the campaign.

Hutton hopes it is Spurs who can win the race for the ex-Newcastle striker. However, the former right-back admits that the potential finances of a deal could be troublesome.

"I think he will be the number one target but I think he will be for a number of clubs. He's a proven goalscorer," Hutton told Tottenham News.

"There were question marks over him when he came into the Premier League asking whether he'll be able to do what he did in the Championship. And absolutely, he has done that.

"He runs in behind, he works centre-backs, he works hard for the team, he's down to earth and he scores goals - that's what he's there for. He's an absolute goalscorer and he looks like a nightmare for defenders.

"He would absolutely make Tottenham better if they had the money to spend on him. He's that guy we're talking about but there'll be a lot of teams looking for someone like him.

"It'll just be the price tag and whether Tottenham are willing to pay that or not. We'll have to wait and see."

Sky Sports reported on 1 November that Brentford want £100million for Toney if they are going to sell him in the January transfer window.

The one-time England international has 32 goals to his name in 68 Premier League appearances.

In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy is tipped to reach a compromise over this multi-million transfer.