Former Leeds United boss Steve Evans has claimed that wantaway Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney could become a star and is good enough to lead the line for the Whites or a Premier League side. 

Toney is set to leave the Posh this summer, having fired in 49 goals and 15 assists in his past two seasons at the League One club, and it doesn't seem as if he'll be short of suitors.

It is understood the club have already turned down a £4 million offer from New York Red Bulls, with the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Celtic and Rangers also interested in the striker – who is thought to be valued at £15 million.

Evans – who managed Leeds between 2015 and 2016 but is now the Gillingham boss – was at the Posh when Toney joined and has revealed how they landed the 24-year-old, as well as hinting that he would be useful at Elland Road.

Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, he said: "Before anything happened with Ivan, Kayden Jackson became available and me and the chairman fancied him as well.

"We thought we’d done a deal with Accrington for him until Ipswich stepped in and took him so all our attention switched to Ivan and luckily we got him out of Newcastle.

"I’d seen him play for Scunthorpe at the end of the previous season and he was virtually a one-man team.

"I was confident he would become a star and I can honestly see him leading the line at a Premier League club or at the biggest Championship club, Leeds United right now.”

The Whites have a complex situation when it comes to strikers. They are understood to still be weighing up whether to extend Jean-Kevin Augustin loan deal from RB Leipzig, with the 22-year-old currently sidelined with an injury.

Patrick Bamford, who has been Marcelo Bielsa's first choice all season, struggled in front of goal against Cardiff City yesterday, as the Whites slumped to a 2-0 defeat, and you question whether he is clinical enough to cut it in the top flight – should Leeds get there.

That result has left them second with a seven-point gap over the play-offs ahead of a crucial clash with Fulham on Saturday.

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The Verdict 

Having managed Toney and been in charge at Leeds, Evans is uniquely well set to make this suggestion and it is certainly an interesting one.

Toney's record in front of goal in recent years is undeniable and he looks arguably the most exciting player in the EFL outside the Championship.

He's a dynamic forward that combines technical quality with fantastic physical traits, which you feel could mean he fits well under Bielsa.

There may be question marks over whether he can make the step up from League One to the Premier League but this could be a move to watch.