IVAN TONEY is hoping to pocket MORE than Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes if he joins the Red Devils this summer.
Toney has been heavily linked with a move away from Brentford, with previous reports speculating that Arsenal were frontrunners.
However, United have emerged as potential dark horses in the race for his signature amid their torrid goalscoring campaign.
The issue for many suitors is the combination of Brentford’s fee and Toney’s expected wages, which are understood to be around £250k per week.
This number – which amounts to £13m per year- is also why Brentford aren’t close to an extension.
If Toney were to join the Red Devils on his preferred wages, he’d collect £10k more per week than their skipper Fernandes.
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Mason Mount and Anthony Martial currently earn that £250k weekly figure, despite rarely featuring this season.
United are no strangers to over-paying players, and have the fourth highest wage bill in the Premier League, despite being seventh in the standings.
In fact, if Toney produces goals for United, that would see him be well worth the high wage compared to the rest of the team.
United could save millions in wages if they achieve their plans for a mass exodus this summer, with Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho all set to leave the club.
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Last week, it was widely reported that the Bees had lowered their asking price from 100m to £40m.
But this was later dismissed by manager Thomas Frank after Brentford beat Sheffield United 2-0 on Saturday.
Frank said: “Normally I don’t go into these price labels, but I would say £30-40m is very cheap for a 20-goal goalscorer in the Premier League.”
The initial £100m fee caused Arsenal and Chelsea to cool their interest in the England international.
Arsenal would prefer to bring in a younger profile of striker and may launch a bid for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
Still, Brentford will likely ask for around £80m for Toney this summer, according to Ben Jacobs.
Man Utd are LUCKY to be seventh in the table… one particular stat is terrible, say Dave Kidd
By Dave Kidd
THE frightening thing about Manchester United’s season is that they should really be LOWER than seventh in the Premier League.
Even during their current run of one win in seven league matches, United’s results have been better than their performances.
Erik ten Hag’s team deserved to lose each of their last three drawn games against Brentford, Liverpool and Bournemouth.
On goal difference, United are ninth in the league, while only seven teams have scored fewer than their 47 goals.
And if we give any credence to ‘expected points’, then that stat would have them 15th in the table.
If Ten Hag’s men lose Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final to Championship side Coventry, it should not come as a major surprise.
Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
