Newcastle Target Praised As "Excellent Talent" By Club Boss

Newcastle United target Ivan Toney has been described as an "excellent and hard-working talent" by his Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder. The Cobblers boss does not believe speculation over Toney's future has affected the 19-year-old forward's performances, stating that the youngster was "excellent" in Northampton's 5-2 victory over Worthing on Tuesday. Toney started up front for the League Two side in their pre-season friendly win, despite the speculation over his future, and failed to find the target - although he did see a header land in the side netting.

He played just 45 minutes, however, as Wilder decided to change almost his entire starting line-up at half-time. The 19-year-old forward has been tracked by a number of Premier League clubs but it looks as though Newcastle have won the race for his signature. Talks are ongoing between the Magpies and Northampton, with a fee in the region of £300,000 likely to be agreed for the young forward - and McClaren wants the youngster on the plane to the USA for Newcastle€™s pre-season this weekend. Speaking to the Northampton Chronicle, Wilder said of Toney:

"Ivan has been excellent - and he was excellent on Tuesday. "He works hard and just wants to play football, but I think it was the right decision to leave him out (on Sunday against Sileby Rangers) - and it was the right decision to play him at Worthing. "His attitude has been great and he went about the game on Tuesday in the right way. "He was aggressive and he had a good test up against an experienced centre-half who booted him up (in) the air a few times."

Most-positively for Toon supporters, Wilder also praised Toney's character and does not believe the forward will be adversely affected by speculation over his future. He continued:

"No (I don't think speculation will affect him). You go through life experiences, don't you? "We will only know if he has to get through it, but I've not seen any signs of it. Ivan is a learner - he takes things on board on and off the pitch. "This is a situation off the pitch where he has to learn, and if it doesn't happen with Newcastle there is still going to be speculation and interest in him because he is definitely a talent."

Graham Carr, Newcastle€™s chief scout, has watched Toney play on a number of occasions over the last couple of seasons and he has recommended that the Magpies add the forward to their squad. McClaren has endured a frustrating first month at the Newcastle helm as far as transfers are concerned, with the Magpies and Crystal Palace the only two Premier League sides who are yet to complete any signings so far this summer. But it now looks as if Newcastle will complete a £300,000 deal for the promising Northampton-born forward at some point this week. Toney has made 53 appearances for the Cobblers since he made his debut at the age of 16 back in 2012 and he has netted 11 Football League goals. He was the youngest player ever to represent Northampton and, due to his age, he would have significant sell-on potential for the Magpies. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.