Manchester United have Ivan Toney on their January shortlist, and Benjamin Sesko’s injury is the reason, CaughtOffside report.
The injury is said to be more serious than the club first thought, which could push United into the winter transfer market for a striker.
They did make enquiries about Leeds forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but that interest has now ended, and he’s in advanced talks over a new contract at Elland Road.
Toney is the name that has United’s attention. The 30-year-old plays for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, where he’s been scoring well and is happy. He’s also kept his England place, and that includes a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. Several sources say he’d be open to coming back to the Premier League.
He won’t be short of suitors. Newcastle, Tottenham and Everton have all shown an interest too.
Toney is one of a handful of options United are weighing up internally. What they want is a proven goalscorer to cover for Sesko, not a big-money gamble on a young striker. A loan or a cheap short-term deal looks the likelier route.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ollie Watkins were both linked earlier as concrete targets and could come back into the conversation. A left-back is also on the list for January, although a striker is the bigger worry.
Footiebuzz View
Toney as short-term cover works for me. He’s still in the England squad, he’s scoring, and a loan or a cheap deal means almost no risk. What it doesn’t do is fix the longer-term striker problem, and United shouldn’t pretend it does. Fine for January. It’s a patch, though.