Red-hot England attacker delivers “clear message” to United over stunning January switch – report

Ivan Toney has been emphatic this season and added another goal to his tally for Al-Ahli on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old scored inside six minutes against Al Feiha, leading the Manchester Evening News to reveal Toney has “delivered a clear statement to potential suitors, including Manchester United, after finding the net once more this week.” The former Brentford man is on a hot streak of form, having scored three goals in his last four games for the Royals, bringing his total goalscoring stats so far to 14 goals in 19 appearances. This follows on from an incredible debut campaign which saw Toney score 30 times in 44 games, and ultimately secured a recall to the England national team last May. Ivan Toney’s long-standing links with Manchester United The striker left Brentford in August 2024 for a fee believed to be in the region of £40 million. But prior to his move to the Saudi Pro League, he was one of United’s targets. After the Euros in 2024, the Red Devils were reportedly interested in Toney, as the United manager at the time, Erik ten Hag, only had Rasmus Hojlund at his disposal at that time. This would have been a perfect transfer, as it would have bolstered United’s attacking front line with a seasoned goal scorer that could have helped nurture Hojlund. INEOS and Ten Hag, however, chose to go down the route of buying Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5 million – a completely different profile of player to Toney, with the Dutchman labelled as a ‘9.5’, a mix of a false 9 and striker. In comparison to Toney, an out-and-out goal scorer who led the line for the Bees and scored 20 goals in 33 games across an impressive 2022/23 campaign in west London. Could Toney now replace Zirkzee? United are now believed be on the hunt for a new forward, but only if Zirkzee departs – with a return to Italy on the cards for the 23-year-old. Zirkzee has been linked with a loan move to AS Roma this month, and if that deal did materialise, it would free up some financial room to possibly get another striker in on loan. Along with Benjamin Sesko’s current form, it would be the perfect time for United to re-establish their interest in Toney – an experienced forward with a proven track record of scoring goals in the Premier League. There are a lot of variables which need to come together for this to be a possibility, but crazier things have happened in the January transfer window. Toney could possibly add to his record so far this season, as Al-Ahli Saudi face former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr side this evening. Featured image Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Dan Burton Daniel Burton worked for Snack Media in 2022, then moved over to VAVEL in 2024, covering Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton. In 2025 Burton joined United Peoples TV, as a Podcast Host and Producer. He will now be reporting on Manchester United for The Peoples Person.