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Ivan Toney could dazzle at Man United amid 'astronomical' claim - pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested reported target Ivan Toney could emulate club legend Andrew Cole at Man United.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 26-year-old could score “20 to 25 goals a season” at Old Trafford – if given the right service.
The Daily Mirror claim (16 July) Man United are keeping tabs on Toney – with West Ham and Newcastle also among the interested parties.
According to i News, it would take an “astronomical” offer of close to £40million to prise the striker away from Brentford this summer.
Toney notched 12 goals and five assists for the Bees in his first full season as a Premier League player.
Whelan compared the striker to five-time league winner Cole – who scored 120 goals in 273 games for Man United.
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He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s done very well in his first Premier League season with Brentford.
“For me, he’s almost like another Andy Cole. If you can give him the right service, then there is no reason why Toney couldn’t score 20-25 goals a season.
“He reminds me of Cole in a lot of ways. He’s always on the front foot, very dangerous in the box – and if he gets a chance, he’ll put it away.
“With a better team around him, no disrespect to Brentford – he could be deadly. The likes of Fernandes, Sancho, and Martial could help him do that.”
The future of veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo is still shrouded in mystery after he reportedly asked to leave the club earlier this summer.
Toney has established a reputation as a penalty specialist – missing just one of his 24 career spot-kicks.
In other news, pundit cites Diogo Jota after £50m+ Man United deal agreed.