Could Manchester United add a final flourish to the transfer window that is already looking like the best one in a long time?
As things are developing, it looks increasingly like one transfer saga of the summer is set to come to an end one way or the other.
United have so far signed one striker, two centre-backs, and a fullback to plug various holes in their squad and a defensive midfielder is next on the agenda.
It’s widely expected that one will end up coming through the door, but that might not be it for this transfer window.
Big Ivan Toney transfer development
Manchester United have been linked to Ivan Toney as the forward enters the last year of his contract, having made it clear that he won’t sign an extension.
There has been interest from other clubs as well but nothing has materialised so far and it was even expected that United would end their interest in him.
However, the links haven’t gone away and with Brentford playing their first game of the Premier League season, manager Thomas Frank has dropped a significant comment.
Frank dropped Toney from the squad altogether and when asked to explain his absence, acknowledged that there’s interest in him and “things are happening” with the striker.
He said: “There’s a lot of things going on with Ivan, there’s some transfer interest. Because of all that, we decided not to involve him in the squad.
“It’s the classic one – I couldn’t give too much the day before. He’s been a fantastic player for us, but we showed last year especially that we can deal without him.
He qualified his statement by saying that there’s interest but as it stands, “nothing is close”.
Toney is an opportunity
Just like Manchester United pounced on the opportunity to sign Matthijs de Ligt when he became unexpectedly expendable in what is aging as one of the best deals in the market, Toney’s case is similar.
United will never get their hands on a proven 20-goal/season striker for anywhere close to £40 million again, especially when they could very well use him.
As it stands, Rasmus Hojlund’s minutes need to be managed, while Joshua Zirkzee, despite his brilliant debut, can’t be expected to carry the whole goalscoring burden.
At his age, Toney can come in and immediately relieve all that pressure while phasing out at the perfect time when Hojlund and Zirkzee will be peaking.
Brentford will clearly listen to offers otherwise Toney will be free to talk to other clubs in January.
If United manage to sell, say, Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay, then the arrival of a midfielder plus Toney shouldn’t be ruled out. In fact, that’s what they should aim for.
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