Manchester United have reportedly added a surprise name to their shortlist as INEOS grow desperate to sanction a prolific goalscorer’s arrival.
Having missed out on Liam Delap last month and now conceded that Viktor Gyokeres wants a move to Arsenal, the Red Devils have been linked with two England internationals.
It was revealed earlier this week that Ollie Watkins had emerged as a concrete target for INEOS chiefs irrespective of whether Rasmus Hojlund is sold in the coming weeks, while a fresh report today suggests Ivan Toney is also being considered by the key decision-makers at Old Trafford.
United retain long-standing interest in Ivan Toney
Toney was one of the league’s top centre-forwards before his Brentford exit. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
Prior to his lucrative Saudi switch last summer, United were amongst Toney’s admirers, but never materialised their interest by submitting a bid or holding talks with the player.
He then bid farewell to the Bees when moving to Al-Ahli, where he has since (unsurprisingly) continued his emphatic goalscoring form by notching 30 goals in all competitions across 2024/2025.
From United’s point of view, however, they’ll be paying more attention to his numbers in England; 36 goals and 11 assists in 83 Premier League appearances pose as a pretty impressive record, making it no surprise United are contemplating Toney as a viable option to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s lacklustre attack.
What’s been said about Toney to Old Trafford?
The 29-year-old is also said to be willing to end his Saudi Pro League tenure prematurely. He has featured for England since leaving the English top flight but will be well aware that he faces an uphill battle to retain his spot for next summer’s World Cup.
Returning to the EPL and reigniting his stellar form would certainly catch the eye of Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, especially if Toney ends up playing a vital role in United’s potential revival.
“Toney is an interesting one for United,” said former United scout Mick Brown when speaking to Football Insider.
“Whatever you say about him, he’s got a proven track record of scoring goals in the Premier League. He’s gone out to Saudi Arabia and continued scoring goals.
“Man United have been watching him, my sources tell me, and they think he is still capable of playing at the top level, plus he’s not even 30 yet so he’s got years left in him. He’s one they’ve liked for a while, even when he was at Brentford, so it might be a surprise to see them interested again but there aren’t a lot of strikers of his level available.”
“From what I’m told, he would be interested in a return to the Premier League,” Brown continued. “He might have to take a cut from what he’s getting paid out there, but he wants to play at the highest level and United could give him that chance.
“They see him as a definite upgrade on what they’ve got, so it’s a possibility.”
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