Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reserved special mention for Ivan Toney following the club’s narrow 1-0 win over Brentford on Tuesday night.

Erling Haaland finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half but, speaking after the final whistle, Guardiola told reporters that the Bees were a tough nut to crack; especially with Toney leading the line:

“They have the ability with Ivan Toney – he’s a master player, a really good player. Other than that they’re really good at free-kicks, throw-ins and so on.”

The three points moves the reigning champions above Arsenal into second, just one point adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

Toney could join one of City’s Premier League rivals

While Guardiola is clearly a big fan of the England international, the Cityzens are not expected to enter the race for his signature at the end of the season.

Toney will, though, be available relatively cheaply as he will have less than a year left on his contract at Brentford.

The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and (possibly) Manchester United may table offers for the striker, who has scored 4 goals in 6 matches since his return from an eight-month ban.

City’s summer transfer business is already underway

While a bid for Toney is very unlikely, the club have already wrapped up one deal ahead of the summer, with Girona’s Savio set to join the club.

The Brazilian is a very promising young player, and he has impressed during a loan spell in Spain. Both Girona and his parent club Troyes are part of the City Football Group so a deal to secure his signature was relatively easy to complete.

In terms of other business, City have also agreed to buy River Plate playmaker Claudio Echeverri. The teenager’s move to Manchester was announced in January but he will stay with his current team until the beginning of next year.