Brentford star Ivan Toney was heavily linked with Arsenal and Chelsea in January (Picture: Getty)
Former Manchester United star Louis Saha has encouraged the club to pursue a move for ‘terrific player’ Ivan Toney, who he believes has the ‘energy’ and ‘confidence’ to succeed at Old Trafford.
Toney has established himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in English football and has hit the ground running after returning from his eight-month ban for betting offences last month, scoring three goals in four games for Brentford.
Arsenal and Chelsea were both credited with a strong interest in signing Toney throughout the January transfer window and the forward fueled these rumours by revealing his ambitions to play for a ‘top club’.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank only added to the speculation last week after he admitted it was ‘relatively obvious’ that the 27-year-old would be sold should a suitable offer come in from a potential suitor in the summer.
For the time being, Toney remains committed to the cause at Brentford and will be desperate to bolster his goalcoring tally after missing the first half of the campaign.
But with Brentford braced for a bidding war between the Premier League’s elite at the end of the season, Saha hopes to see United test the Bees’ resolve for the England international.
‘I think he’s a terrific player,’ the ex-United, Fulham and France attacker told Betfred.
Toney has scored three goals in four games since returning from his ban (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s a very confident lad and I’ve heard stories about how impressive and committed he was in the England camp when he was receiving his first few call-ups, so I’m sure he would walk into Carrington with the same level of confidence.
‘Those types of characters have energy, that’s for sure, because they have that confidence and give it to the other players in the squad.
‘He’s a very unselfish striker, so for me, he has the class and capability to still improve and has that fire in his belly after his period out suspended.’
Saha believes Toney has what it takes to ‘have an impact’ at United (Picture: Getty)
According to Saha, Toney has the Premier League experience and the attributes to be a hit at the Theatre of Dreams.
‘I have no doubt that he would have an impact because he has the same fire as Rasmus [Hojlund] and he definitely wants to make a point,’ the Frenchman added.
‘He’s got a good level of experience in the Premier League, so it makes sense why the club would be interested in signing him and if he’s shown signs that he prefers to play for Manchester United because of their history and style of football, then this is a brilliant combination.’
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Speaking to BBC Sport at the weekend, Toney laughed off Frank’s suggestion that he would be sold and stressed that he was focused on the second half of the season at Brentford.
‘I see that as he doesn’t want me! [laughs],’ he joked when asked about Frank’s statement last week.
‘Nah, the manager has said what he’s said but listen, I can’t make clubs come and get me.
‘I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s score goals and like I said, what will be, will be.’
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