Premier League icon David James feels that Rasmus Hojlund’s form could deny Ivan Toney a move to Manchester United with the wantaway Brentford striker keen on a big-money move to one of the division’s big hitters.
Reports linking Manchester United with a summer swoop for one of the division’s most potent number nines are not going anywhere.
Especially with Ivan Toney very publicly reluctant to extend a contract which expires in 2025, and Brentford willing to lower their demands to around £50 million, HITC Football understands.
But while Toney would undoubtedly represent impressive value for money – the England international broke the 20-goal barrier in the Premier League last term, after all – a Man United side still battling with Financial Fair Play concerns surely have more pressing matters to attend to than bringing another centre-forward.
At least, now that Rasmus Hojlund is proving himself to be not only a star of the future but a star in the present.
Is Ivan Toney still a Manchester United target
“Manchester United have Rasmus Hojlund at the moment,” James, formerly of Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham, tells GG Recon. “And he’s been in fantastic form. So, does Ivan Toney compliment him up top or does he replace him?
“I’m not sure how that would work. So at the moment, whilst Manchester United are showing an interest, I believe they would struggle to find a position for Ivan Toney in their starting XI.”
According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United may look to bring in an experienced centre-forward to provide back-up for Hojlund, who broke a Premier league record when he became the youngest player ever to score in six successive games against Luton Town on Sunday.
The Mirror reported earlier this month that Ivan Toney is on Erik ten Hag’s list for the summer.
But whether Ten Hag’s list matches up with Ineos‘ list, remains to be seen.
Rasmus Hojliund cannot stop scoring
Toney, however, is unlikely to be particularly keen on a supporting role at Old Trafford.
What’s more, a United side expected to take a more coherent, considered approach to recruitment following their Ineos takeover will have obvious reservations about splurging a sizeable fraction of their transfer budget on a striker who may struggle to nail down a spot in Erik ten Hag’s best XI, given the Dutchman’s preference for a sole-striker system.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
