Why Manchester United were never going to sign Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney is closing in on a transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in a £40million deal.

Toney, 28, was touted for a move to one of the Premier League's old 'big six' teams throughout the summer but Tottenham opted to buy Dominic Solanke from Brentford and Arsenal are reluctant to disrupt an attack that Kai Havertz has started to find his rhythm in.

Predictably, Manchester United were incessantly and baselessly linked with Toney even though they never had any intention of moving for the England international.

When United were finalising a £72million deal to sign Rasmus Hojlund last year, a high-ranking United official said during the pre-season tour the club could not spend "another £70m on another striker next year".

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United prioritised an economical striker signing this summer to replace Anthony Martial after he was released. Days after United got Martial off the books, they bought Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m. Zirkzee's release clause and the lack of concrete competition made that a straightforward deal.

Having invested more than £100m on two strikers within a year, United would not have been able to justify the expense of recruiting a high-profile frontman in Toney.

United also signposted their belief in Hojlund as their starting striker by handing him the number nine shirt in July. Hojlund is currently recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in the pre-season defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles five weeks ago.

Brentford had been holding out for a fee north of £50m for Toney amid the expectation he would move to another Premier League club.