Man Utd 'watching' €95m Arsenal target as Martial replacement

Cameron Smith

• 26 Jan 2024 07:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly “watching” Ivan Toney’s return to action with Brentford as they ponder making a move for the English striker during the summer transfer window.

Toney, 27, has been suspended for the past nine months after pleading guilty to over 200 betting breaches, but he is now back and marked his return with a goal against Nottingham Forest.

The former Newcastle United striker has been heavily linked with a Brentford exit for the last few months, fuelled by many of his own comments, with Arsenal currently thought to be leading the way in the race to sign him.

Chelsea have also expressed an interest in signing Toney, although the Blues are currently focused on signing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, while Callum Wilson is being considered as a short-term option, FootballTransfers has been told.

Man Utd want Ivan Toney

Arsenal will not have a free run at Toney this summer, however, as Man Utd are “watching” him, according to The Athletic.

Erik ten Hag’s side purchased Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta last summer, but the Denmark international has only scored two Premier League goals so far this season and has struggled amid limited service.

Anthony Martial is currently Hojlund’s back-up at Old Trafford, but the Frenchman is injured and is running down his contract until it expires this summer.

As a result, signing a new striker is fairly high on Man Utd’s transfer priority list and they are now looking at Toney as a possibility.

Brian Brobbey is also liked by Ten Hag, but the Ajax star recently poured cold water on a possible move to Man Utd by denying any contact with the Red Devils boss.

Man Utd’s interest in Toney was exclusively reported by FootballTransfers back in August, although it remains to be seen if they will be able to beat Arsenal to his signature.

Brentford recently set an asking price of around €93m (£80m) for Toney as they seek to keep hold of their star man.