Manchester United among a host of clubs plotting summer swoop for prolific Premier League frontman

Manchester United are believed to be among a host of Premier League clubs lining up a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney, as per a report from Fichajes.

The 27-year-old made his long-awaited return to competitive football on Saturday evening after overseeing an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting rules. He marked his maiden outing of the 2023/2024 term with an assist against Nottingham Forest as the Bees oversaw a 3-2 victory on home turf.

It’s no secret that Toney desires a move to a new club, mostly because he so frequently expresses his wishes publicly. More recently and prior to his comeback, he declared (via Sky Sports): “You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club.

“Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”

When could United pursue Toney?

If it’s a January transfer he’s after, that certainly rules United out. The Reds are expected to be targeting just loan deals again this winter as they wait for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% stake to be ratified by the Premier League.

The summer could look vastly different though as the board operates under INEOS’ control and guidance, and Toney would undoubtedly pose as a statement signing for the new part-owners.

Since Brentford’s promotion to the top flight in 2021, the England international has notched 33 goals and nine assists in 67 appearances under Thomas Frank. He’d strengthen any team’s frontline with his clinical finishing, strength, aerial threat and link-up play – especially United’s, who have registered the lowest amount of goals scored (24) in the top 14 of the table.