CONFIRMED! – Man Utd finally emerge in the clear for ‘Surprise £40m transfer’ race as Arsenal and Chelsea take backseat

CONFIRMED! – Man Utd finally emerge in the clear for ‘Surprise £40m transfer’ race as Arsenal and Chelsea take backseat

Ivan Toney looks set to leave Brentford in the summer and Manchester United are in the market for a new striker to help provide support for Rasmus Hojlund

Manchester United have emerged as potential dark horses in the race to sign Ivan Toney.

The England international is due to enter the final 12 months of his Brentford contract this summer and therefore could be available for a cut-price between £40million and £50m.

Arsenal are understood to have cooled their interest as they continue to monitor Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko while Chelsea are thought to be prioritising alternative striker targets.

Matt Hargreaves is currently spearheading United’s summer recruitment plans as the Red Devils are still yet to agree a compensation package with Southampton for incoming technical director Jason Wilcox.

But once a resolution is found and an agreement is struck with the Saints, Wilcox will lead United’s revised transfer strategy alongside newly-appointed CEO Omar Berrada and the pair will also be tasked with raising cash via player sales to ensure the club remains compliant with Premier League PSR rules.

Dan Ashworth remains on gardening leave after stepping down from his role as Newcastle sporting director following an approach from United.

While Erik ten Hag’s future remains in the balance, internally, United’s new-look transfer committee are poised to discuss the prospect of moving for 28-year-old Toney as they begin to carefully devise their summer shortlist.

United want to sign another centre-forward to provide support for Rasmus Hojlund next season with Anthony Martial due to end his nine-year stay at Old Trafford when his deal expires in late June.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are thought to favour signing young players with high potential moving forward, however, Toney’s experience and availability makes him an undeniably attractive option.

Ivan Toney
Brentford technical director Lee Dykes recently declared Thomas Frank’s talisman will only be sold on their terms, however, the Bees want to avoid any risk of losing their integral frontman on a free transfer in 2025.

Toney recently impressed in Brentford’s dramatic 1-1 draw with United at the Gtech Community Stadium as he teed up defender Kristoffer Ajer for a 98th-minute equaliser.

Frank’s side had a remarkable 31 shots at Andre Onana’s goal and the former Peterborough frontman displayed admirable holdup play before also having a goal chalked off for offside by VAR.

West Ham are also thought to be showing interest in Toney, who looks set to become one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer, regardless of whether he is involved for England at the European Championships