Manchester United would love to sign Prem star in January but he’s too expensive

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United’s tight financial situation makes Brentford striker Ivan Toney a no-go in the January transfer window with the Premier League outfit demanding £100 million for their England international.

Then again, whether any of Ivan Toney’s suitors would be in a position to pay such a fee remains to be seen. The 27-year-old has just over 18 months left on his contract at Brentford either and, with talks over an extension seemingly locked in limbo, it is hard to imagine even Chelsea owner Todd Boehly splashing out a nine-figure sum.

Especially when you consider that, come next summer, Toney will be only a year away from becoming a free-agent.

The Daily Mail report that, in an ideal world, Manchester United ‘would like to sign’ the well-travelled, one-time Newcastle man. Erik ten Hag will be restricted instead of ‘cheap’ deals or short-term loans however – much like last winter – with United’s uncertain financial position rendering Toney comfortably out of reach for the time being.

Manchester United cannot afford Ivan Toney

It may be a different story next summer, of course. United may, therefore, be left hoping that Toney is still available from May 2024 onwards. Presumably boosted by then with a fresh injection of cash provided by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment.

“All day long (he is a potential £80 to £90 million striker),” Darragh MacAnthony, Toney’s former Peterborough United chairman, tells talkSPORT (3 November, 10.30am).

“Brentford are very shrewd. They are such good operators. If United have this new ownership and this new director, he could be one of their first big signings.

“And what a signing he would be for their frontline, by the way. he is exactly what they need. They need a player who is a Golden Boot winner in the making.”

Brentford want £100 million

Toney scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford in 2022/23. The last time a Man United player broke the 20-goal barrier in England’s top flight, meanwhile, came a decade ago with Robin van Persie.