If Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cardiff City showed anything, it’s that Preston may be a clinical striker away from being a major threat.

North End had 16 shots against the Bluebirds, but couldn’t find the winner. Chances came and went, and a chance to close the gap to Leeds in second place was squandered.

It’s clear that Preston need a goalscorer, but the problem is clear too; they cost big money. Signing a top striker would cost a considerable fee, one that Preston are usually reluctant to pay.

Now though, The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims that Preston want Peterborough’s Ivan Toney, with a club-record fee in mind. The Posh allegedly want ‘fortunes’ for their star striker, but North End allegedly hope to secure a deal by sending a player to Peterborough in part-exchange to bring the price down.

Preston. Want Ivan Toney from Peterborough. Will offer record sum. Poss plus a player. Posh want fortunes. Others in too. Many have to sell a striker first. — Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) December 22, 2019

Just based on quality and style, Toney fits the bill. He’s young, he’s quick, he’s athletic, and he’s scoring goals for fun. This term alone, he’s hit 15 goals in 26 outings for Peterborough.

The only issue is that Peterborough’s demands could be huge. TEAMtalk recently suggested that Peterborough want £10million for Toney, which Preston wouldn’t even get close to paying.

Peterborough have sold strikers for big money before, such as Britt Assombalong and Dwight Gayle, so it’s no shock they want huge cash for Toney too. Toney does only have 18 months left on his deal though, so the asking price may decrease at some point soon.

It’s still hard to see Preston paying up big for Toney though, even if he could be the missing piece of the puzzle up top. It’s all rather frustrating given that Preston missed out on Toney for just £650,000 in 2018, as claimed by Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

The League One side pipped Preston to a deal to sign Toney from Newcastle, and he’s done nothing but score since. He could be absolutely ideal for North End, but the money involved would surely be beyond North End – even with a player heading the other way.