Manchester United have already landed a big fish at striker in this year’s transfer window, signing Bologna breakout star Joshua Zirkzee to pair with another young former Serie A standout in Rasmus Hojlund.
Among Marcus Rashford, Zirkzee, and Hojlund, Manchester United should, in theory, be strong offensively next season in what is a make-or-break year for Erik ten Hag after buying himself a season to prove himself to INEOS.
Manchester United may not be done with acquiring strikers, though, as the Evening Standard reports that the Red Devils have begun holding talks with Brentford for a deal for star striker Ivan Toney.
Previously linked to Tottenham and Arsenal, Toney has most recently drawn significant interest from another London-based powerhouse, Chelsea, who are preferentially negotiating with Victor Osimhen.
After agreeing to ship Romelu Lukaku to Napoli, there is optimism within Chelsea that the Blues can acquire the Nigerian No. 9 after all, adding him to a loaded summer transfer window in the attack that includes the acquisitions of Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.
Per the Evening Standard, Chelsea are actually the favorites for Toney, too, despite the heavy links to Osimhen, because the striker himself would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United may not be the favorites to sign Toney, but, well, they weren’t the favorites to sign Leny Yoro and still landed arguably the most coveted center back on the open market.
Toney is a 20-goal striker in the Premier League and nearly led Brentford to European football, so if ten Hag wants him and INEOS pay the Bees, you’d have to give him an inside track to start.
You’d also have to wonder, if Man United are seriously interested in Toney after already signing Zirkzee, whether or not ten Hag is planning on using more two-striker looks in the 2024/25 season.
