Man United, Ruben Amorim, Ivan Toney
(Credit: Imago, Getty Images)
Mick Brown
Thu 3 July 2025 9:52, UK
Man United are considering a “surprise” move to sign Ivan Toney from Al-Ahli this summer, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old is interested in a return to England after one year in the Middle East.
There is a belief that Toney’s time at the top level of the game is not finished, while United scouts appreciate his goalscoring record in the Premier League.
The England international scored 30 goals and provided six assists across 44 appearances during the 2024-25 season and remains very highly-rated.
The former Brentford star has been on the radar at Old Trafford for a while, after Football Insider revealed in August 2024 that United plotted a £20million bid for Toney.
While no agreement could be reached last summer as he instead moved to the Saudi Pro League, they are now prepared to reignite that interest.
Liverpool
Ivan Toney is a target for Man United. (Credit: Getty Images)
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Man United eye Ivan Toney deal after Viktor Gyokeres reveal
Brown told Football Insider on 21 June that Man United are working on signing a striker after Viktor Gyokeres made clear his desire to join Arsenal instead.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa, has insisted that Toney has emerged as a surprise candidate on their list of targets.
“Toney is an interesting one for United,” he told Football Insider.
“Whatever you say about him, he’s got a proven track record of scoring goals in the Premier League.
“He’s gone out to Saudi Arabia and continued scoring goals.
“Man United have been watching him, my sources tell me, and they think he is still capable of playing at the top level, plus he’s not even 30 yet so he’s got years left in him.
“He’s one they’ve liked for a while, even when he was at Brentford, so it might be a surprise to see them interested again but there aren’t a lot of strikers of his level available.
“From what I’m told, he would be interested in a return to the Premier League.
“He might have to take a cut from what he’s getting paid out there, but he wants to play at the highest level and United could give him that chance.
“They see him as a definite upgrade on what they’ve got, so it’s a possibility.”
Man United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is enjoying a busy transfer window. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Bryan Mbeumo update emerges at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim is aiming to add a new number nine to his squad amid an overhaul of the front three, but has also set his sights on Bryan Mbeumo.
Brown told Football Insider on 1 July that United are close to an agreement with Brentford over Mbeumo, and are lining up a third formal offer.
Amorim’s side are confident that they will get the deal done despite seeing two bids rejected, after the forward made clear his desire to join the Red Devils.
Brown told Football Insider on 24 June that Man United are pushing to sign Mbeumo and talks have continued with Brentford “behind closed doors”.
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