Manchester United have officially opened talks for a £71m deal to sign the striker who is currently breathing down Haaland’s neck at the top of the scoring charts
Manchester United have taken a bold step in the transfer market, initiating discussions to land the only striker in the Premier League currently producing numbers comparable to Erling Haaland. After years of searching for a forward capable of delivering ruthless, week-in, week-out efficiency, the club believe they may have finally identified their answer—and he has been scoring goals in plain sight.
The player at the centre of this storm is Igor Thiago, Brentford’s explosive Brazilian forward. In his first Premier League campaign, the 24-year-old has racked up 17 goals in just 26 appearances, placing him firmly among the division’s elite marksmen. Only Haaland has managed to stay ahead in the scoring charts, underlining just how remarkable Thiago’s rise has been. Strip away the headlines and the hype, and the numbers still scream excellence. Seventeen goals before the business end of the season is the kind of return that usually leads the Golden Boot race in most campaigns.
United’s interest is not casual admiration. Talks have reportedly begun over a deal that could reach £71 million—a figure that mirrors what the club paid Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo last summer. That previous deal has proven to be shrewd business, with Mbeumo adapting seamlessly at Old Trafford. His impact has seemingly encouraged United’s hierarchy to revisit west London in search of another attacking gem.
Thiago’s appeal lies not only in his goal tally but in the completeness of his game. He brings physical authority, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing. He is comfortable leading the line alone, bullying defenders when necessary, yet also sharp enough to combine in tight spaces. Crucially, he is already acclimatised to English football. There would be no bedding-in period, no adjustment to tempo or physicality—he is already thriving against Premier League backlines.
Interest in Thiago stretches beyond Manchester. Heavyweights across Europe are tracking his progress, aware that elite strikers in their prime are a rare commodity. Brentford, meanwhile, are under no pressure to sell. The club recently tied him to a new contract and view him as central to their project. Those close to the player insist he is settled and content, focused on continuing his development rather than forcing a move.
That presents United with a delicate challenge. Money alone may not be enough; the project must convince him. With Michael Carrick overseeing a more structured attacking blueprint and creative forces like Bruno Fernandes supplying chances, Old Trafford can offer the stage, ambition, and competitive platform that few clubs can match. The vision is clear: assemble a frontline capable of standing toe-to-toe with the champions across Manchester.
For years, the gulf between United and their city rivals has often been symbolised by the presence of a relentless No.9 at the Etihad. Signing Thiago would represent more than just strengthening a position—it would be a declaration that United are ready to compete directly, rather than chase shadows.
Negotiations are still at an early stage, and competition remains fierce. Brentford will resist, rival clubs are circling, and the player himself is not agitating for an exit. Yet United have made the first move, and that alone signals serious intent.
If they succeed, they won’t just be adding another striker. They will be securing one of the few forwards currently capable of matching the division’s most feared scorer stride for stride. And for a club desperate to reclaim its dominance, that could change everything.
