Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has delivered an update on the future of highly sought-after striker Ivan Toney with just days of the transfer window remaining.

Charlton Athletic and Brentford are two of the sides known to be interested in bringing in the 23-year-old this month but MacAnthony has now revealed that any deal this month would have to include a loan-back option for the remainder of the season, as well as a £12million fee.

Speaking to Sky Sports News on Wednesday night, he said: “Two of the current top four in the Championship are keen on Ivan.

"And I did meet up with one of them after they’d made four bids. I told them what the club expected which was a £10 million fee and £2 million in add ons.

“But any deal also had to involve Ivan coming straight back to us on loan because we want to win promotion this season. I’m not about to sell promotion down the river, not even for £10 million."

QUIZ: Can you remember the scores from Charlton’s first 12 games of this season?

Toney has netted 20 goals in all competitions for the Posh so far this season as Darren Ferguson and his side continue to chase promotion from League One.

Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his attacking options this month in order to aid the likes of Ollie Watkins should they need to be rotated in the business end of the season.

For Charlton, it is perhaps a more urgent scenario. With Lyle Taylor rejecting recent contract offers, it looks like he could be set to leave this month, and Bowyer will want to bring in a top replacement ready to hit the ground running.

The verdict

This sort of stance from MacAnthony has to be expected in the January transfer window and I suppose it is now a true test of who values Toney the highest.

I imagine it could see Charlton drop out of the immediate race. Given their immediate need for a striker it would be surprising to see them agree to a £12million fee and a loan back this month.

Considering he is unlikely to be first choice at Brentford as well it is difficult to see them doing the same. So really it is hard to see anything happening regarding Toney.