EXCLUSIVE: Ivan Toney came close to joining Dundee before becoming Brentford’s £50m striker

Ivan Toney, who has had a £50 million price tag put on his head by Brentford, nearly joined Dundee.

Former Dark Blues’ assistant manager, Graham Gartland revealed that Dens Park boss, Neil McCann had teed up a loan deal for the English striker but the club failed to get it over the line.

And it wasn’t just Toney – recently linked with the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves after reaching double figures for Brentford in their first season in the Premier League – who Dundee got close to recruiting when McCann was in charge.

They had Macauley Bonne, later bought by QPR for £2 million, in their sights, as well as Kayden Jackson, whose most recent transfer was from Accrington Stanley to Ipswich Town for £1 million.

“There were a lot of strikers we tried to bring in,” said Gartland.

“We had Ivan Toney lined up for a loan.

“Macauley Bonne and Kayden Jackson were others.

“We’d watched them play and they were keen to come but unfortunately the club couldn’t go the extra yard to bring them in.

“We were a top striker away from being a really good team.”

Toney is currently joint sixth with Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot in England’s top flight.

He has scored 12 times.