RBNY Transfer Round-Up: Toney bidding war heats up; approach for Orta?

Toney price increases with Old Firm circling

After having a bid rejected last week, RBNY are facing an even steeper challenge to sign English striker Ivan Toney from Peterborough United. Peterborough chairman Barry Fry has continued to stoke the flames of a bidding war as Toney, League One’s leading scorer, looks to be one of the most sought-after forwards in Britain this summer as clubs seek less ambitious recruitment targets in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.

Though Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers have been the most frequently-mentioned suitors for Toney, Fry expressed an expectation of Championship and possibly Premier League interest once promotions and relegations are decided. Fry also continued to bemoan New York’s bid last week of $5 million plus incentives, reiterating his belief that Red Bull has the ability to make a larger bid closer to what they perceive as Toney’s value. (Daily Record)

Red Bull Global linked with Leeds director Orta

With the exit of chief scout Paul Mitchell and continued speculation around the status of global director Ralf Rangnick, Red Bull Global has identified Victor Orta of Leeds United as a possible new recruitment guru. The Spaniard Orta, who sought out and hired legendary Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa and has Leeds on the verge of a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League, has expressed “surprise” at the link and expects to remain at the Yorkshire club for years to come. (Leeds Live)

Vergara increasingly linked to MLS and...Red Bull?

Colombian league talent Duván Vergara, currently of América de Cali, has been linked to MLS moves for much of the year but a new link will raise ears in New York. Radio journalist Jorge Puerto Ladino has claimed that a Red Bull club is interested in signing the 23 year-old Vergara this summer. Though Ladino later specified that he believed the specific Red Bull club to be Leipzig, the combination of past MLS links and the tendency of rumors to jump between Red Bull clubs means this will be a name to watch. (Jorge Puerto Ladino)

Recent RBNY target Tanner released by Manchester United

Manchester United announced the release of several youth and reserve players this week, one of which being George Tanner, a 20-year old fullback linked with Red Bulls earlier this year. While RBNY has since shored up their backline with the signings of Frenchman Jason Pendant and Englishman Mandela Egbo, the opportunity to echo the legacy of past United trainee-turned-RBNY fullback Richard Eckersley can’t be ignored. (Manchester Evening News)