Man Utd tipped for bold raid to land lethal striker amid keen interest from Arsenal

Manchester United are among a number of sides keeping tabs on Ivan Toney ahead of his likely Brentford exit in the summer, according to reports.

Toney returned from an eight-month ban on Saturday and was instantly off the mark, scoring a lovely free-kick as Brentford beat Nottingham Forest 3-2. It was the striker's first competitive game of the season, following his admission to breaching the FA's betting regulations 232 times.

The 27-year-old was on the radar of top Premier League clubs after netting an impressive 20 goals last season but that imminent ban stalled anything from progressing in the summer. But interest remains and Fichajes reports that United are in the race.

Erik ten Hag is keen to bring more goals into his squad and could look to sign a more experienced No.9 this summer. United spent £72million on Rasmus Hojlund last year but despite showing plenty of promise, he is only 20-years-old and would benefit from having less goalscoring pressure on his shoulders.

Toney would fit the bill, having enjoyed two full campaigns in the Premier League with Brentford and hitting double figures each time - he is now on 33 league goals in 67 appearances in that time. But those in charge at Old Trafford are not the only suitors and Arsenal have been heavily linked this month. Like United, they are in the market for goals as Mikel Arteta looks to make the step up to a consistent Premier League title challenger. Chelsea are also named in the report and desperate for a regular goalscorer to lead their young team.

Toney is expected to stay at Brentford for the rest of this season but speaking before his return on Saturday, the 27-year-old refused to rule out a future move to one of the Premier League's 'top clubs'.

"You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club," he told Sky Sports. "Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?"

Bees manager Thomas Frank has also been quizzed on Toney's future recently, insisting he remains confident the striker will still be at the Gtech Community Stadium come February. But they have not been averse to cashing in on top players when the time is right and will likely lose goalkeeper David Raya permanently in the summer, following his season on loan at Arsenal.