Man United stepping up in Ivan Toney race with INEOS talks set to commence

Manchester United are reportedly looking to start discussing whether to enter the race for Brentford and Premier League striker Ivan Toney this summer.

Manchester United are looking to sign a new striker this coming transfer window. Erik ten Hag‘s side has struggled to score consistent goals this season.

United’s top scorer remains Rasmus Højlund, with 13 goals, Bruno Fernandes has 12, and Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho each have nine.

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The Reds are lacking a consistent goal output, with Højlund still learning his trade and lacking consistent service, while Anthony Martial has spent much of this season out with injury and is set to leave the club for free this summer.

With this in mind, Mirror Football have now reported that United have emerged as a “dark horse” for the race to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.

While Arsenal and Chelsea remain interested, INEOS is set to discuss whether signing Toney would be a good option for the club this summer, considering that they want a striker.

Although Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly favours signing young players with high potential in the future, Toney’s experience and availability make him an undeniably attractive option.

Once this season is over, the 28-year-old’s contract is set to enter its final 12 months, and a fee of around £40-50 million would be enough, according to reports.

United should sign Toney

There are several reasons why signing Toney would be a fantastic move, with the first being his goalscoring record.

Toney has demonstrated an impressive goalscoring record, particularly in the Championship with Brentford and their seasons in the Premier League since. His ability to find the back of the net consistently could provide United with additional firepower up front, easing the burden on existing strikers such as Højlund and increasing the team’s overall goal threat.

Toney is not just a traditional striker; he’s versatile and can adapt to various attacking roles. His ability to play as a lone striker or alongside another forward would offer Ten Hag tactical flexibility, enabling them to switch formations or tactics as needed during matches.

At 28, Toney is in his prime as a footballer. Signing him now could mean getting a player who is not only performing at a high level but has also proven he can be consistent—something the club lacks.

While Toney wouldn’t come cheap with the above price tag, especially given his recent performances and potential, he might still be a more cost-effective option compared to some other high-profile strikers in the market. United could potentially secure his services for a reasonable fee compared to the inflated prices often associated with top-tier strikers.

Toney is English, which aligns with Manchester United’s tradition of nurturing and promoting homegrown talent. It also adds to the rules dictating how many homegrown players must be part of each club. His familiarity with English football could help him settle quickly into the team and adapt to the demands of playing for a club of Manchester United’s stature.

Toney’s inclusion would also add to competition for places, which is vital for any successful team. Bringing in Toney would increase competition for the striker position, motivating existing players to perform at their best and ensuring that United always have quality options available upfront.

With an eye toward long-term success, Manchester United should consider signing Toney as part of their squad-building strategy. Having a talented and reliable striker like him on board could contribute to the team’s competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions over the coming seasons.