Second striker offers himself to Man Utd in extraordinary move after Joshua Zirkzee transfer

A second striker is eager to join Manchester United even though the club is set to complete a move for Joshua Zirkzee.

On Thursday, it was widely reported that United had agreed on a deal to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee for a fee understood to be just over £35 million.

United have allegedly agreed to offer more than the 23-year-old’s £33.6 million release clause, in exchange for more favorable payment terms. Personal terms have been agreed with Zirkzee, a Netherlands international who had been representing his nation at Euro 2024.

The player, who scored 12 goals and registered seven assists as Bologna qualified for the Champions League this season, is expected to have a medical this week before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the option of a further year.

Moreover, according to Bild’s Christian Falk, United have also registered an interest in England striker Ivan Toney, who has just one year remaining on his Brentford deal.

Toney reportedly wants to join United, with the Bees having already been informed of the matter by the forward’s agent.

Toney, who was among England’s penalty shoot-out heroes in their quarter-final victory over Switzerland last Saturday, has long hinted at a desire to play at a club challenging near the top of the Premier League.

When Brentford boss Thomas Frank was asked about Toney while working as a pundit for the BBC, he said the club had “prepared” for the striker to leave by signing Igor Thiago from Club Bruges.

When asked about his manager’s comments, Toney said: “I didn’t hear him say that. I can’t predict the future and if I could I wouldn’t be sat here in front of you guys. What will be will be and my main focus is playing well and doing well for my country.”

He added: “I’ve been through it [transfer speculation] before. There’s been lots of talk of me going here, there and everywhere before in my career and I just don’t let outside noise get to me.

“I’m here with England now, and the main focus is doing well for England and whatever happens, happens. I can’t control it.

“From 18 when I was supposed to go to Wolves and I was all excited and getting involved in all of it, then it didn’t happen, it hurt me.

“So since then, I thought ‘Why am I trying to take control of things when I don’t need that pressure?’ I just let people who take care of those things do it and I focus on the pitch.”