Manchester United have now ‘looked into’ potentially signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer as they aim to bolster their attacking options, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Erik ten Hag has overseen a mixed start to the Premier League season and an underwhelming few months of business, but can still strengthen his side ahead of the September 1 deadline.
What is the latest news on Toney?
According to The Mirror, Chelsea and Everton have joined United in the race to sign Toney from Brentford this summer.
The report claims that United have identified the 26-year-old as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, should the Portuguese star get his wish and leave Old Trafford this summer.
Toney made the move to Brentford from Peterborough United for £10 million back in the summer of 2020 but Jones has previously told The Football Terrace that it would cost £50 million to pry the forward from the Bees’ grip.
United are continuing to chase the signings of Ajax winger Antony and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo as Ten Hag makes a late rush to revamp his attacking unit.
The Red Devils recently recruited midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, their fourth signing of the summer following deals for Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
What has Jones said on a move for Toney?
Jones understands that United have been looking into the possibility of signing the striker from west London this summer.
The transfer insider warns, however, that due to Toney’s importance to Brentford, the club will almost certainly not budge on their £50 million valuation.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “At the start of the window £50 million for Ivan Toney seemed unthinkable, but with some of the fees that have been dished out recently, it doesn’t sound quite so weird anymore. Brentford know he would be so hard to replace so they won’t budge on the figure, not downwards anyway! United have looked into it so let’s see if they knock on the door this week.”
Would Toney be a good signing?
The £31,000 per-week star has certainly had no trouble adapting to the rigours of the Premier League following the step up two years ago.
After bagging 33 times in the promotion-winning campaign from the second-tier, Toney has scored 14 goals in 39 top-flight outings, taking his career tally to 141 strikes.
He plays as a centre-forward but has shown how impressive his link-up play can be, laying on seven Premier League assists, including two in Brentford’s recent 4-0 thrashing of United.
Toney may not be the big-name signing many fans wanted to see, but he has all the attributes needed to be a success at Old Trafford.