Tottenham and Manchester United in £45-£50 million transfer battle

A Premier League side have reportedly slashed their asking price for a star striker, giving Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United a major boost in their transfer pursuits. Journalist Ben Jacobs suggests this price cut could set the stage for a big move before the transfer window shuts.

Ivan Toney has been a standout performer for Brentford, attracting attention from several top clubs. Tottenham, in particular, are keen on bolstering their forward line under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

The club is actively seeking additional firepower to complement their existing attacking options. Reports from The Mirror suggest that Tottenham have been monitoring Toney closely and are contemplating a formal approach for the England international.

Initially, Brentford had valued Toney at £80 million at the beginning of the summer. However, the lack of concrete interest at that price point has prompted the club to reconsider their valuation. Now, Brentford are willing to accept a significantly lower fee, with figures around £45-£50 million expected to be sufficient to secure the forward’s services.

One potential hurdle for Tottenham’s pursuit of Toney is their current roster. The club may need to offload Brazilian forward Richarlison before committing to a substantial bid for Toney. Richarlison’s departure could free up both funds and space within the squad, making a move for Toney more feasible.

Adding to the intrigue, Jacobs revealed that Toney is open to running down his contract and leaving Brentford on a free transfer next summer. This situation puts pressure on Brentford to sell now rather than risk losing him for nothing. As a result, they have lowered their asking price to facilitate a sale this summer.

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Tottenham and Manchester United in £45-£50 million transfer battle

Manchester United, another club linked with Toney, could also benefit from Brentford’s revised stance. However, their recent acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee and the presence of Rasmus Hojlund might reduce their urgency to sign another forward. Despite this, United remain in the conversation, with Jacobs naming them alongside Tottenham as clubs to watch in the coming weeks.

In an interview with talkSPORT, Jacobs stated, “My understanding is that Toney is not against free agency in 2025 because it might open up a big club who feel there is a bargain to be had by bringing him in on a free transfer."

He continued, "If he is to go this summer, it’s understood that Brentford would be looking for somewhere in the region of £45-50 million." Jacobs added, "Manchester United and Spurs are the two clubs to watch.”

With the transfer window getting busier, it looks like Tottenham are in a great spot to make a move for Toney. The lowered price and their need for a new striker make this the perfect opportunity for the Lilywhites. With Brentford keen to close a deal, we might see some big action in this transfer saga soon.