Manchester United are weighing up a surprising summer swoop for Ivan Toney, the England striker currently plying his trade at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Reports from Fichajes claim that the Red Devils have already kicked off early discussions with Toney’s representatives as they look for a reliable solution to their chronic scoring issues.
United’s hierarchy appear pretty confident about their prospects of striking an agreement and have tabled an initial offer in the region of €35 million (£30 million). The move is seen as a pragmatic attempt to land an experienced forward without splashing obscene sums, especially with Ruben Amorim eager to bring in a proven finisher.
Toney, who left Brentford just a year ago, has been pocketing a jaw-dropping £415,000 per week on a contract that runs until June 2028. Despite the lucrative deal, the 29-year-old’s form has kept him on England’s radar, with a recall under Thomas Tuchel that turned a few heads back home.
While Viktor Gyokeres remains United’s preferred target up front, the reality is that Gyokeres seems more tempted by Arsenal’s advances. This has forced United to seriously consider alternative names, and Toney’s blend of Premier League pedigree and red-hot Saudi form makes him an intriguing fallback.
The past season saw Toney light up the Saudi Pro League with 30 goals in 44 games, finishing second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in the scoring charts. That kind of productivity is exactly what United crave, especially as they try to build a forward line capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
Still, the deal is no foregone conclusion. Toney’s enormous wages pose a hurdle, and several European clubs could jump into the race once it becomes clear that he’s genuinely available. United will also need to decide if they’re comfortable making him a secondary option behind Gyokeres or if he’d end up sharing minutes with Rasmus Hojlund.
Alongside Toney, United have already secured the signing of Matheus Cunha and remain locked in talks with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has signalled openness to the switch. They are also pushing to offload players like Hojlund and Garnacho to free up funds and squad space.
In short, United’s €35 million bid for Toney sums up their current transfer stance: measured, opportunistic, and fully aware that time is running short to tie down an elite number nine. Whether Toney ends up as a short-term solution or simply a bargaining chip, this pursuit underlines their desperation to avoid another season of blunt finishing.
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