Man Utd 'watching' clinical £100m Premier League man loved by Arsenal and Chelsea

Manchester United are not planning to source a short-term striker option this month but reports suggest they are keeping a close eye on Ivan Toney for the summer.

Speculation surrounding United's search for a No.9 has intensified in recent days, following confirmation that Anthony Martial will be out for around 10 weeks. The 28-year-old underwent surgery on a groin complaint this week which will keep him sidelined until early April.

Erik ten Hag's side had already been linked with the likes of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karim Benzema but even in the absence of Martial, look set to stick with what they have and plan for a more long-term option in the summer. Several names have surfaced in recent weeks and now The Athletic reports that Toney is on the club's radar.

United are thought to be long-time admirers of Toney, who bagged 20 Premier League goals last season, but followed other top sides in avoiding a move due to the striker's imminent ban for breaching the FA's betting rules. The 27-year-old only made his first appearance of the season for Brentford last weekend, scoring in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

There were some doubts as to whether Toney would return to his best after such a lengthy absence but he looked sharp against Forest and United are not the only interested party. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked, with the former thought to be frontrunners this summer.

Toney looks almost certain to play out the rest of this season at Brentford but recently hinted at a move, insisting he has ambitions to play for a 'top club' and fight for titles. If he returns to previous form, any move could reportedly cost up to £100million.

The report also backs up previous claims of interest in Brian Brobbey, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax where he remains. The 21-year-old has 15 goals this season and would come at a fraction of the cost quoted for Toney.

Ten Hag has made a habit of signing players with past links to himself, bringing Antony and Lisandro Martinez directly across from Amsterdam in his first window at Old Trafford. Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat have also played under the Dutchman.

Any arrival will be a direct replacement of Martial, who looks set to leave United as a free agent in the summer. The club opted against activating a 12-month extension at a time when they did for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri, paving the way for his exit.

Martial's agent insisted earlier this month that the Frenchman would not leave in January and instead play out the final months of his contract, most of which he will be sidelined for.