Man Utd eye Ivan Toney in bid to add leadership to squad

Manchester United are interested in Brentford's Ivan Toney in their search for a new striker this summer, understands.

Toney is open to leaving the Bees either this summer or in 2025 when his current contract expires. Brentford are expected to demand a fee in the region of at least £50m, though this could yet fluctuate depending on his potential participation and performances at Euro 2024 with England.

Sources have told that United are admirers of Toney and believe he would bring experience and leadership to their dressing room if they were to pursue a deal — they like his confidence that borders on swagger, while they are also impressed with his standing in Brentford's captaincy group.

United have made signing a new centre-forward to support and compete with Rasmus Hojlund a priority for the summer transfer window.

While RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko — whose contract contains a £43m release clause — is currently higher on United’s shortlist than Toney, there is an acceptance that they would face significantly more competition for the Slovenian starlet, and the Brentford striker could yet become a more tempting option if the fee Brentford demand for him drops.

understands Toney won't come as cheap at the £30m some reports have suggested, but also won't cost the £100m that Brentford head coach Thomas Frank publicly hinted he's worth and the final fee will be somewhere in the middle. Brentford won't be easy to negotiate with but given Toney's age and contract length, agreeing a fee that is within United's summer budget might be possible.

Chelsea have also been linked with Toney, but sources have told they are not prioritising a move for him at this time and instead are targeting a younger profile of striker.

Across London,