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Topics: Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Victor Osimhen, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag, Chelsea
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Victor Osimhen, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag, Chelsea
Ivan Toney’s betting ban has inadvertently handed Manchester United a major transfer headache.
Toney has been suspended from all football-related activity for eight months for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules.
The Brentford striker’s suspension will begin with immediate effect, meaning he will miss Brentford’s final two games of the season against Tottenham on Saturday and Manchester City on the final day.
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Having admitted to the alleged charges, Toney will be banned until January 16, 2024, and be fined £50,000. Moreover, he will not be allowed to train with his Brentford teammates until September 17.
The 27-year-old was charged with 262 breaches of FA rule E8 between February 25, 2017 and January 23, 2021. The FA have subsequently withdrawn 30 of those breaches, and Toney admitted to the remaining 232.
Toney, who has netted 21 goals in 35 appearances for Brentford this term, has the right to appeal the punishment. Should the ban be upheld, however, it could have consequences for several Premier League teams this summer.
According to the Evening Standard Chelsea will no longer proceed with the interest of Toney and target alternate options.
However, the publication claims the Blues could turn their attention to Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with the latter having also been targeted by United.
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Osimhen is one of the most coveted strikers in Europe, having netted 28 goals and provided five assists as Napoli claimed their first Serie A title in 33 years.
And United are allegedly deliberating on whether to sign the Nigeria international or Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the summer.
The club are keen to bring in a new striker, having been unable to rely on the fitness of Anthony Martial or the quality of loanee Wout Weghorst.
Of course, should Chelsea turn their attention to Osimhen it could complicate United’s approach for the Napoli star.
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While the Blues won’t be able to flaunt Champions League football next term, under Todd Boehly they have shown a willingness to blow the rivals out of the water in terms of transfer fees and wages.