'One to watch': Don't rule out Manchester United going for £40m striker – journalist
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Manchester United are one of a whole host of Premier League teams who need a new striker.
Arsenal and Chelsea also need a new centre-forward.
With all three teams looking for new number nines, as you can imagine, they're fishing in the same sorts of ponds.
Manchester United have been linked with Victor Osimhen recently, and Osimhen is also an Arsenal target.
Meanwhile, Manchester United like Viktor Gyokeres as well, while Arsenal have scouted Gyokeres recently.
Speaking on The Stretford Paddock, Ben Jacobs has been discussing some of United's striker targets, and he says that Ivan Toney remains a player to keep a eye on.
Keep an eye on Ivan Toney to Manchester United
Jacobs said that Toney is a player to keep an eye on when considering Man Utd targets.
Toney only moved to Saudi Arabia this summer just gone in a deal worth £40m, but there are already suggestions that he could be on the move again before too long.
Jacobs says United have been admirers of Toney, and this is one to watch.
"I would still just keep, in the back pocket if you like, an eye on Ivan Toney," Jacobs said.
"That's because we know Manchester United have looked in the past. There's nothing to suggest yet that Toney's chapter in Saudi is going to come to an end, and I certainly wouldn't want to fuel belief that Manchester United are active on it yet.
"But I hear from a lot of sources that come the summer or maybe even January 2026 that the Toney situation is going to be one to watch."
Ivan Toney stats this season
Toney was brilliant during his time in the Premier League, but he's been gone for almost six months now.
It's easy to lose track of how players are getting on over in Saudi Arabia, and despite being a potent Premier League hitman, Toney hasn't been delivering in the same way over in the middle east.
Indeed, Toney's goalscoring record for Al-Ahli isn't all that impressive.
| Ivan Toney Saudi Pro League stats | |
| Games | 12 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
Of course, this is a small sample size for a player who is getting used to his new surroundings, but four goals in half a season in Saudi Arabia doesn't exactly stand out as a player who United should be making a move for.
As Jacobs says, Toney is a player to keep an eye on, but perhaps United should be looking elsewhere if they want to find a striker who can deliver the goals they need to move up the Premier League table.
