Manchester United may test the stance of Brentford over Ivan Toney with the offer of a loan deal with an obligation to buy late in the summer transfer window, according to the Independent.
The Bees are still holding out for at least £60 million for the England international striker, a fee which the Red Devils are unwilling to pay for a player out of contract next summer.
Brentford risk losing Toney for free at the end of the season if they cannot secure a deal this month, but a loan deal could appeal to them, provided it comes with a mandatory option to buy.
Denmark international striker Rasmus Hojlund is injured, and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has yet to get up to speed after missing out on the pre-season tour of the United States.
This forced United to deploy Bruno Fernandes as a number nine against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday, and they could do so again in their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday.
Landing Toney could be a huge boost for Man United, given his proven quality and huge experience at this level.
Under the new recruitment structure at Man United, there is an unwillingness to splash this cash on a forward of that age.
However, a cost-effective deal for the 28-year-old could still prove attractive, as they could do with his services right now.
After spending around £155m this summer on Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, the Red Devils have concerns over Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Loan deals are their best option right now if they are unable to make more sales to generate more transfer funds.
Signing another defensive midfielder is a top priority to manager Erik Ten Hag, but getting Toney in could make a huge difference as United bid to challenge for major silverware.
