Newcastle United fans here in the Tavern are hoping that their side can avoid relegation, as Championship football looms for the Magpies. 

Rafa Benitez has struggled to come to terms with Premier League football so far this season, as inconsistencies within the Magpies’ ranks have caused for some troubling times on Tyneside. Indeed, deficiencies in the January transfer window have our local residents fearing for their top-flight future, as they still await the debut of Islam Slimani.

However, it appears as if the club are trying to improve their back-up options for next season, as fringe players are set to face news about their futures at St James’ Park.

Of course, one player who’s currently out on loan is 21-year-old Ivan Toney, as he’s set to spend the rest of the season at League One side Scunthorpe United. And, it seems that the club aren’t prepared to offer the youngster a future up North, as they’re getting ready to listen to any potential offers in the summer transfer window.

The former Northampton Town striker is currently rated at £450k  (by Transfermarkt), and was one of the most exciting prospects in the Football League before his move to Newcastle, but has been unable to make a breakthrough with the Magpies since signing back in 2015.

However, this is a decision that could later come back to haunt the club, HERE’S WHY…

Potential

Indeed, the Englishman still has bags of potential waiting to be unlocked at the young age of 21, and has already shown moments of brilliance in the two Premier League appearances he made for the Magpies.

Subsequently, the striker has been out on loan at different Football League sides over the course of his Newcastle career, which has allowed for Toney to pick up some valuable experience along the way, as he’s taken up a similar path to the likes of Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio and Troy Deeney who had to impress at lower league teams before developing into Premier League stars.

Therefore, the Tyneside club could be making a huge mistake in selling the forward in the summer months, with plenty of potential still to be unlocked in a player that displays a goalscoring ability wherever he goes.

Proven goalscorer

The Magpies currently hold one of the worst goalscoring records in the Premier League, as a lack of goals continues to drive the historic club towards relegation back to the Championship.

Indeed, it’s been the ineffectiveness of the strikers that’s caused for the club to stare relegation in the face, as Benitez’s decision to gift Joselu the role of leading the line has caused for a goal drought at St James’ Park. And, with Ivan Toney being sent out on loan to Scunthorpe United, the Spaniard’s decision-making comes into question once again, after failing to make use of his goalscoring talents in a critical period.

Therefore, having seen the club’s inability to bring proven strikers to St James’ Park in the past, it would be a luxury for Newcastle United to have the talents of Ivan Toney in their ranks should they have a repeat disaster. And, with the possibility of relegation to the Championship, the Englishman could definitely become a dangerous asset at that level if they suffer that fate.