Ivan Toney’s future looks to have taken a shock new twist ahead of the new season.
The England star had been widely expected to leave Brentford for pastures new this summer following on from Euro 2024.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a number of clubs, with his contract due to expire in 2025 and negotiations not proving productive.
Recent reports say the Toney is holding out for Spurs to come in for him, with the striker valued at around £60 million.
However, the situation has taken an interesting development. Brentford’s club-record signing Igor Thiago has suffered an injury in his very first game for the Bees.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has joined from Club Brugge and made his debut in a 5-2 win over AFC Wimbledon.
He scored a brace but the club have issued a statement confirming that Thiago has suffered a meniscus injury and is not able to play against Benfica in their next friendly.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “Brentford’s Igor Thiago suffered a meniscus injury during the Bees’ 5-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon. The striker, who scored a brace on his first appearance for the club, is unavailable for this evening’s game against Benfica and will have further scans next week to determine the extent of the injury. More information will be released in due course.”
Thiago scored 29 goals in all competitions last term and Brentford will be hoping the injury is not too severe.
But if it is, it will almost definitely deny Toney a move this summer as Brentford will be left a little light up top.
Toney joined Brentford in 2020 from Peterborough United in a £10 million transfer and has gone on to make 141 appearances, scoring 72 goals – 36 of which have come in the Premier League.
Manchester United could offer Ivan Toney the opportunity to seal a move to Old Trafford despite the Brentford star seeking a significant pay increase if he embarks on a fresh challenge ahead of the summer transfer window slamming shut next month, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Red Devils have already strengthened their options in the attacking department, thanks to striking a £36.5million deal for Netherlands international Joshua Zirkzee after his goals spearheaded Bologna to Champions League qualification, but boss Erik ten Hag has remained in the market for further reinforcements.
Leny Yoro has also joined Manchester United in a switch worth up to £58.9million from Lille, but new sporting director Dan Ashworth has refused to rule out the possibility of raiding Premier League rivals in the aftermath of being set the challenge of leading the FA Cup winners’ recruitment drive as the August 30 deadline closes in.
Red Devils Contemplating Making Toney Bid if Price Tag Drops
Manchester United could consider heading to the negotiating table for Toney if his price tag drops below £40million, according to GMS sources, and ten Hag has noticed a potential window of opportunity to negotiate a cut-price deal after it has become clear that a new contract at Brentford is out of the question.
The striker has entered the final 12 months of his £20,000-per-week agreement at the Gtech Community Stadium and, although his current employers would like to convince him to sign fresh terms to protect his value, they are unable to meet his lucrative demands or match his ambition.
GMS sources have been informed that Toney is looking for a contract worth up to £250,000-per-week at a new club, and Manchester United have held talks over making a move for his signature despite already providing Rasmus Hojlund with competition for a regular starting berth thanks to Zirkzee’s arrival.
The 28-year-old has found the back of the net 36 times over the course of 85 Premier League appearances, which led to him being included in England’s squad for Euro 2024, and his preference is to walk away from Brentford ahead of the new Premier League campaign getting underway as he is ready to take the next step in his career.
But GMS sources have learned that Toney is refusing to rule out the possibility of remaining with the west Londoners for another season as he would then become a free agent and be in line to decide his next challenge without his admirers needing to get involved in club-to-club negotiations.
Manchester United’s biggest challengers for Toney’s services is likely to come from the big-spending Saudi Pro League as GMS sources have been told that he has worked his way onto Al-Ahli’s list of potential recruits alongside Napoli marksman Victor Osimhen and Tottenham Hotspur frontman Richarlison.
Chelsea are not in the race for the England international, having missed out on becoming a priority target during the early stages of new head coach Enzo Maresca’s reign, while a switch to Arsenal will only have a chance of coming to fruition if he becomes a free agent ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
GMS sources understand that Brentford have not received an approach from Al-Ahli or bids from any other suitors at this stage, but Manchester United are aware that Bees boss Thomas Frank will not want to see Toney walk away without recouping a fee after previously valuing him at £100million.
The capital club are in line to have to settle for less than half that figure, despite the former Newcastle United man not being unhappy in his current surroundings, as it is their last opportunity to command a healthy fee after a contract renewal has been ruled out of the equation.
GMS sources recently revealed that Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have also refused to rule out the possibility of testing Brentford’s resolve with a lowball offer, but they have stopped short of making serious contact in an attempt to get a summer deal over the line.
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