England international agrees to join Manchester United as Amorim envisions a brilliant new attacking trio.
Manchester United have received strong encouragement in their efforts to sign Ivan Toney, with fresh reports suggesting that the England striker is very interested in a move to Old Trafford. With Viktor Gyokeres now seemingly off the table and expected to join Arsenal, manager Ruben Amorim is believed to be narrowing his focus to two main forward targets for the remainder of the summer window.
United are determined to revamp their squad ahead of the new season, targeting players who not only fit seamlessly into Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 tactical approach but also possess the quality and mentality needed to help return the club to the top levels of English football. After a deeply disappointing campaign that ended with a shocking 15th-place finish, there is mounting pressure from fans, ownership, and within the club for a dramatic turnaround.
While the signing of Matheus Cunha early in the transfer window was a positive start, progress on securing a second major addition has proven more difficult. Two offers for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo have been rejected, but United are reportedly preparing a third bid in the hope of finally sealing the deal. Amorim is said to be intent on building a fluid, potent front three, and sees the addition of a top-level centre forward as the key to bringing his attacking vision to life.
With Gyokeres now likely to join Liam Delap in moving to London, United have had to explore other options—and Ivan Toney has quickly risen to the top of the list. According to several reports, his current club Al-Ahli are open to parting ways with the 29-year-old after less than a year in Saudi Arabia, and have placed a £30 million price tag on the striker.
Further reports from Football Insider state that Toney has given his approval to a potential move, with sources close to the player suggesting he is eager to return to elite competition. He reportedly views a switch to Manchester United as an ideal opportunity to boost his chances of featuring for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite being part of Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad, Toney is said to believe that playing in the Premier League will better serve his international ambitions—even if it means accepting a wage reduction.
Toney’s track record is impressive: 36 goals in 83 Premier League appearances for Brentford, followed by an outstanding season in Saudi Arabia where he netted 30 goals in 40 games. His consistent scoring ability makes him an attractive candidate to lead Amorim’s new-look attack.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who recently became a free agent after leaving Everton. Financial concerns are believed to have influenced that decision. Instead, the club is now actively pursuing Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
Watkins was previously targeted by Arsenal during the January window, but the Gunners have since moved on. Manchester United’s interest, however, remains very much alive—though any move for Watkins is believed to be dependent on the future of Rasmus Hojlund. Journalist Laurie Whitwell recently explained that Amorim’s pursuit of Watkins is closely tied to Hojlund’s potential departure. Talks have taken place with Inter Milan, and a sale now appears more likely than a loan deal.
If Hojlund is sold, Amorim is expected to push aggressively for Watkins as a direct replacement. The striker’s pace, work rate, and finishing ability make him a strong fit for United’s evolving attack.
Elsewhere, the club is also monitoring the situation around Victor Osimhen. United are said to have a strong interest in the Nigerian international and are one of four clubs reportedly under serious consideration by the Napoli star this summer.
Significant changes are expected at Old Trafford over the coming weeks. According to Fabrizio Romano, five current squad members have expressed their desire to leave, prompting the club to begin planning further reinforcements. In goal, Andre Onana is likely to stay for at least another season despite speculation, with internal expectations not pointing toward a sale.
Additionally, reports from Spain claim that United could benefit from a planned fire sale at Barcelona, with the Catalan giants looking to offload up to £121 million worth of talent to balance their books. That opportunity could provide United with access to high-quality reinforcements across multiple positions.
In summary, Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Manchester United is gathering pace, with the club exploring every possible route to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Whether it’s Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Victor Osimhen, or an unexpected Barcelona import, the Red Devils are preparing for a transformational summer. And if early signs are anything to go by, the road to redemption may already be underway.
