Manchester United have turned their attention to signing Ivan Toney in the summer
Every summer, transfer rumours spark excitement and heated debate among Manchester United fans. The club are still looking for players who can bring back their lost punch and reinforce the squad with names that will make a difference from the first minute. The arrival of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford has fuelled the idea of a more courageous team with a clear attacking vision.
However, that idea needs interpreters. A centre-forward with instinct, who knows how to fight with physical centre-backs and also understands when to drop deep to partner creative midfielders. The Red Devils have been sounding out profiles for months, but now an unexpected name has emerged that generates surprise and expectation in equal measure.
According to information published by Fichajes, United are in initial contact with the representatives of Ivan Toney, currently at Al-Ahli. The 29-year-old England striker arrived in Saudi Arabia from Brentford and signed until June 2028, earning a salary of around £415,000 per week.
Is Ivan Toney the right fit to solve Manchester United’s goalscoring issues under Ruben Amorim’s system?
Despite such a juicy contract, the Old Trafford board believe they can convince the player with an attractive sporting project and an offer of around €35 million. The directors see in Toney a viable alternative to cover the lack of goals that has been a problem for the squad. The plan is to add a “9” to complement Amorim’s idea, who wants a more direct and efficient attack.
Opinion:
Is Ivan Toney the ideal striker to solve United’s attacking drought? Under the microscope of his style, he is an attacker with a powerful physique, a good aerial game and a respectable eye for goal. With Brentford, the Englishman showed the ability to withstand the pressure of the Premier League and was capable of deciding tight games. However, his spell in Arabia raises questions about his current competitive pace.
Compared to strikers such as Ollie Watkins or Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Toney brings more box-to-box presence and less mobility. Amorim is looking for fluidity up front, so adapting Toney to a more combinative game might require adjustments. The 35 million may seem reasonable if you look at his resume, but the salary is another story.
Should Manchester United prioritize Toney over other potential striker targets this summer?
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His salary in Arabia is a far cry from the wage structure United are looking to maintain, forcing a rethink on whether it pays off. In addition, age plays a key role: at 29, his resale margin is almost nil. Is it worth putting him ahead of younger or promising options? There are strikers in Europe with similar records and at a lower cost, although without Toney’s experience.
In the end, the decision comes down to balancing urgency with wisdom. United cannot repeat the mistakes of other summers by signing out of desperation. If Toney agrees to reduce his salary and fits in tactically, he could be an interesting stop-gap. But if his signing is prioritised without considering fresher alternatives, the gamble could be expensive and condition future moves.