Joshua Zirkzee in action for Man Utd
(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Manchester United are reportedly interested in Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who could fill in for Joshua Zirkzee.
The Red Devils have yet to make a move upfront, but a departure would unlock space for a new arrival.
At this stage, Marcus Rashford is said to be 80% likely to stay, but Zirkzee is increasingly being linked with the exit door, with a return to Serie A possibly on the table.
Joshua Zirkzee out, Igor Thiago in?
In a recent piece on The Athletic, Man Utd correspondent Laurie Whitwell revealed the club’s desire to sign a new centre-forward who can share the burden with Benjamin Sesko.
But according to English journalist Ben Jacobs, the arrival of a new bomber is intertwined with Zirkzee’s fate, as the club would only be able to make a sizable investment should the Dutchman leave. On the contrary, if the 25-year-old stays in Carrington, then MUFC might sign a cost-efficient striker.
“My information is that if Zirkzee goes, United will attack the number 9 market,” said the transfer market expert during his appearance on The United Stand.
“If he stays, they might line up something more experienced, more economical.”
Jacobs then reveals that Brentford’s Thiago could be one of the solutions, as Man Utd have internally discussed the Brazilian international.
“Igor Thiago has been discussed. Nothing more than that at this stage, more of an internal conversation and a normal player call to understand his situation.”
Why Thiago appeals to Man United
In the summer of 2024, Thiago made a £30 million move from Club Brugge to Brentford, but he only became a regular starter last season, following Yoane Wissa’s move to Newcastle.
The 25-year-old striker enjoyed a sensational 2025/26 campaign, bagging 22 Premier League goals. He finished second in the league’s charts, with only Erling Haaland outscoring him.
Thiago, who was praised by his Brentford manager Keith Andrews for his ‘outstanding’ finishing, also impressed Carlo Ancelotti, who added him to Brazil’s World Cup campaign, but he only made an appearance on the opening matchday before being relegated to the bench.
Transfermarkt estimates the striker’s value at €65 million (or £55 million), but the Bees would certainly request a higher value.