Three weeks after Matheus Cunha’s arrival, United’s transfer business seemed to be finally getting underway.
Manchester United are apparently contemplating a surprise approach for an England international, with one of their existing players spending time on holiday with him.
Despite being connected with numerous players in recent weeks, United have only made one permanent deal this summer.
Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves last month when the Europa League runners-up activated his £62.5 million release clause.
Ruben Amorim’s planned redevelopment has failed to get underway, and United has been unable to offload any unwanted players, notably winger Alejandro Garnacho.
However, a second player may be on the way to Old Trafford.
Former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that club scouts have been following Al Ahli player and England international Ivan Toney.
It is said that Toney has not ruled out a return to English football after one season in Saudi Arabia.
He scored 30 goals in 44 games across all competitions, earning a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England side.
“Man United have been monitoring him, my sources tell me, and they believe he is still capable of playing at the highest level.
“He’s one they’ve liked for a while, even when he was at Brentford, so it might be a surprise to see them interested again but there aren’t a lot of strikers of his level available.”
While not directly tied to any possible transfer, Toney was recently seen on holiday with United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Amorim’s team has also indicated interest in Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, but the Swede is expected to join Arsenal instead.
According to L’Equipe, the striker and his representatives notified the Gunners that they were his preferred club, and the two parties were close to reaching a verbal agreement on his proposed contract.
Amorim handled Gyokeres at Sporting Lisbon before joining United, but it looks he will now be working under Mikel Arteta instead.
Arsenal still needs to agree on a deal with Sporting, but the Portuguese club and player are at differences over the trade.
Gyokeres and his representatives believe he has an agreement to leave for a set fee, which the club denies.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Swede has refused to return to Sporting and is essentially on strike until he can leave the club.
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