Man Utd given 'come and get me' plea by England star

Suraj Radia

• 13 Jul 2024 04:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been boosted in their bid to sign one of their top targets, with the club open to bringing in another striker even with the impending arrival of Joshua Zirkzee.

The signing of Zirkzee is set to be formally announced in the coming days after the 23-year-old passed his medical, with United paying Bologna €42.5 million for the Dutchman.

United were keen to add to their depth up front following the departure of Anthony Martial, which left Rasmus Hojlund as the club’s only striker, and Erik ten Hag’s side are considering bringing in yet another number nine this summer.

READ MORE: How Man Utd were given discount on Zirkzee transfer

With Zirkzee seen as a versatile option who could play alongside Hojlund as well as deputise for the Dane, United have considered Ivan Toney as a potential signing.

The England international is set to leave Brentford this summer as he enters the final year of his contract and BILD reporter Christian Falk has now claimed that Toney’s agent has informed his club that his client wishes to join United.

Brentford’s asking price of more than €40 million has initially put interested teams off but United will be hoping that Toney’s price will drop as the transfer window progresses.

Toney holding out for Brentford exit

Toney is currently at EURO 2024, where he has only made two late substitute appearances, one of which provided an assist for Harry Kane’s extra-time winner against Slovakia.

The 28-year-old has long been hoping to move to a bigger club but his ban for betting infringements prevented a transfer last summer, while Brentford have been reluctant to sell their star striker on the cheap.

STATS

Ivan Toney

F (C)

Brentford

Ivan Toney

F (C)

Brentford

All Tournaments

2023/24

• 17

  Games

• 4

  Goals

• 2

  Assists

View all stats

However, with Toney seemingly having no desire to extend his contract, Brentford will be forced to cash in on the forward this summer or risk him leaving on a free next summer.

READ MORE: 10 players who could join Man Utd this summer

A host of Premier League sides including Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked to Toney but his preference to join United could see a move accelerate over the coming weeks.

United, though, will likely focus on other priorities before pushing for another striker, with Zirkzee’s arrival ensuring the club at least have their backup for Hojlund and sufficient quality up top.