Erik ten Hag, Man Utd’s manager, could face a conflict with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the first time.
The Dutchman is reportedly interested in acquiring the services of 27-year-old forward Ivan Toney in the upcoming summer transfer window. However, Manchester United’s new owner is hesitant to engage in a bidding war and believes that Brentford’s asking price for Toney is too high. Toney was previously linked with a move away from Brentford during the January transfer window but chose to stay with the club as a gesture of gratitude for their support during a betting ban. It is widely anticipated that he will seek a move to a different club in the summer.
According to reports from the Daily Star, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is personally monitoring Toney. Nevertheless, United’s owner, Ratcliffe, has reservations about Brentford’s valuation of the striker, which stands at £100 million, especially considering that Toney is nearing the final 12 months of his contract and has limited experience in European football. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of Toney’s age and contract length on his resale value, particularly if he were to sign a four or five-year deal. Ratcliffe is aware that United also have the option of reintegrating Mason Greenwood into the squad next season after his loan spell at Getafe, further influencing the decision-making process.
The addition of Toney to the United squad is seen as a potential boost to their attacking prowess, as the team has struggled to find the net consistently this season. During his time at Brentford, Toney has proven himself as a prolific goalscorer, with 70 goals in 126 appearances for the club, including an impressive 20 goals in 33 Premier League games last season. Since returning from his betting ban, he has continued to showcase his scoring abilities with two goals in as many games.
