Manchester United in discussions on the possibility of hijacking Chelsea deal for Premier League star

Manchester United have conducted initial talks over a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, The Evening Standard journalist Malik Ouzia has reported.

According to reports, the Red Devils are preparing to make a late move for the England international, who has expressed his desire to leave the Bees prior to the deadline set for Friday.

According to Ouzia, Chelsea remain the 28-year-old forward’s priority, despite interest from both Man United and Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, who had an opening offer in the region of £35m rejected last week.

Brentford are holding firm to their £50m valuation of Toney, who has now entered the final 12 months of his term at Gtech Community Stadium. The 28-year-old is at risk of being released for free by Thomas Frank’s team next summer.

Toney was left out of the Brentford squad for their first two Premier League games of the season, despite returning to first-team training following an impressive Euro 2024.

According to Ouzia, Man United and Brentford have only conducted preliminary conversations for Toney, with the Old Trafford club yet to make a formal offer to acquire the 28-year-old before the transfer deadline.

Chelsea are also reportedly contemplating making an offer for the star striker dubbed “unplayable” by Alan Shearer, with Brentford hopeful that an initial bid from either of the English clubs could drive a bidding war as the transfer window closes.

Several Premier League clubs have been ‘put off’ by the Bees’ valuation of the England international earlier in the window, including Arsenal, who were once seen as the most probable buyers of Toney this summer.

The England international made 17 league appearances for Brentford last season, contributing six goals and helping the Bees finish 16th in the table after returning from a lengthy suspension for breaching the FA’s betting rules.

Toney would become Man United’s sixth summer arrival, with Manuel Ugarte likely to become the latest acquisition after arriving for a medical at Carrington on Tuesday night.

The PSG midfielder is poised to put pen to paper on a five-year deal, with a lengthy summer saga now over after the clubs agreed on a package just north of £50m.