The transfer window is heating up as the deadline approaches, and the future of Brentford striker Ivan Toney remains a hot topic.
According to the Evening Standard, Manchester United have made a late move to sign the English striker from Brentford.
The England international has made it clear that he wants to leave the Gtech Community Stadium before the window closes, and the Bees are now scrambling to find a suitable deal.
Chelsea have recently emerged as the front-runners, with the Blues keen to bolster the club’s attacking options, but United have now entered the fray.
The Evening Standard claims that the Red Devils have held initial talks with Brentford over a potential move for Toney.
United have previously expressed their interest in signing Toney despite bolstering their striking options with the addition of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund.
United were reportedly planning to launch a late loan move to sign Toney, who has been labelled a ‘world-class‘ striker by manager Thomas Frank.
The deal would include an obligation to sign him permanently, given he’s in the final year of his contract, and it appears the Red Devils have now initiated talks to get a deal over the line.
However, securing a move to Chelsea remains Toney’s priority, while Brentford are facing the prospect of losing him for free next summer if they cannot find a buyer before the transfer deadline.
Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli have already had a bid rejected for Toney, with Brentford hoping to recoup around £50 million for the former Newcastle United striker.
The Bees are hoping interest from Chelsea and United will spark a bidding war but may be forced to lower their asking price to around £40m to facilitate a deal.
Negotiations with United are still at an initial stage, but Toney has been left out of Frank’s squad for the opening two Premier League games, with the club looking to offload him in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and United are still in talks over a potential swap deal between Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho.
