Toney to Man Utd: Deal still POSSIBLE despite Brentford injury shock

Tom Weber

Updated: 2 Aug 2024 08:41 CDT
4 min read

Igor Thiago's injury has not changed Brentford's stance on selling Ivan Toney, according to a report.

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Talk surrounding the England international's future has rarely dissipated over the past few months, with Toney himself quite openly addressing his desire to join a big club.

However, precious little has so far materialised in terms of concrete offers for a player who failed to impress upon his return from a months-long gambling ban, though he did briefly show how impactful he can still be at Euro 2024.

Despite interest from many clubs, no bid has been tabled for a player said to be valued at between €40 million and €60m. This is a sizeable outlay for a 28-year-old.

England's big sides are now primarily focusing on youth and there is a good reason for this.

Financial rules to blame for lack of Toney activity

According to Sky Sports, the reason why clubs have refrained from taking a punt on Toney is quite simply due to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, which have turned players even more into economic assets than they had already previously been.

The report states that even the big sides are now recruiting young with a view to eventually flipping that talent down the line to balance the books. England's most affluent clubs are now worried about sell-on value, which means that a player like Toney simply isn't worth the risk anymore.

This, then, explains why the report also confidently states the long-term injury of new Brentford star striker Igor Thiago doesn't really change the situation all that much.

Brentford are still prepared to sell Toney at the right price. A concrete bid would give the Bees a decision to make, but as things stand, the Three Lions forward looks set to stay - because there have been no offers at all.

Clubs are more likely to try and play the waiting game. With Toney out of contract next year and unlikely to pen fresh terms, his suitors will fancy their chances of landing him for nothing next summer.

However, there is, of course, still a scenario in which he does make a move this summer. This scenario involves Man Utd, who are keen to add a Premier League-proven striker to their ranks.

Man Utd retain an interest in Toney and could yet look to make a move if they manage to raise the funds for this endeavour. As things stand, though, the Red Devils have different priorities.