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Ivan Toney has been emphatic this season, adding another goal to his tally for Al-Ahli on Tuesday evening.
The 29-year-old scored against Al Feiha within six minutes to lead the match Manchester Evening News to reveal that Toney “has made a clear statement to potential suitors, including Manchester United, after finding the net again this week.”
The former Brentford man has been in good form, scoring three goals in his last four games for the Royals, taking his total goalscoring stats to fourteen goals in nineteen games so far.
This follows on from an incredible debut campaign that saw Toney score 30 times in 44 games and ultimately secure a recall to the England national team last May.
Ivan Toney’s long-standing ties with Manchester United
The striker left Brentford in August 2024 for a fee believed to be around £40 million. But before his move to the Saudi Pro League, he was one of United’s targets.
After the 2024 European Championship, the Red Devils were reportedly interested in Toney, as then United manager Erik ten Hag only had Rasmus Hojlund at his disposal at the time.
This would have been a perfect transfer as it would have strengthened United’s attacking frontline with a seasoned goalscorer who Hojlund could have helped nurture.
However, INEOS and Ten Hag opted to buy Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5 million – a very different player profile to Toney, with the Dutchman labeled as a ‘9.5’, a mix of false 9 and striker.
Compared to Toney, a real goalscorer who led the way for the Bees, scoring 20 goals in 33 games in an impressive 2022/2023 season in West London.
Could Toney replace Zirkzee now?
It is believed United are now looking for a new striker, but only if Zirkzee leaves – with a return to Italy on the horizon for the 23-year-old.
Zirkzee has been linked with a move to AS Roma this month, and if that deal materialises, it would free up some financial space to potentially loan another striker.
Coupled with Benjamin Sesko’s current form, this would be the perfect time for United to restore interest in Toney – an experienced striker with a proven track record of scoring goals in the Premier League.
There are a lot of variables that have to come together to make this happen, but crazier things have happened in the January transfer window.
Toney could potentially extend his record so far this season as Al-Ahli Saudi face former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr side tonight.
Featured image Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images
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