Sam Allardyce Recommends Manchester United Sign Brentford's £30m Striker Igor Thiago
Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has publicly urged Manchester United to pursue the signing of Brentford striker Igor Thiago during the upcoming summer transfer window. In a recent podcast appearance, Allardyce emphasized that the Brazilian forward represents an ideal target for the Red Devils, citing his impressive goal-scoring record this season.
Manchester United's Transfer Priorities and Midfield Focus
Much of the discussion surrounding Manchester United's summer transfer strategy has centered on bolstering their midfield options. The club had already planned to acquire a new central midfielder before Casemiro confirmed his departure at the season's end in January. Under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, United have secured a position in the Champions League places and are now actively planning to sign two midfielders.
Notable targets linked with moves to Old Trafford include Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Carlos Baleba, with the Nottingham Forest star reportedly emerging as United's primary objective. However, midfield is not the sole area under consideration, as several football analysts argue that reinforcements are also necessary in attacking and full-back positions.
Igor Thiago's Stellar Season and Allardyce's Endorsement
Igor Thiago has been a revelation for Brentford since his £30 million transfer from Club Brugge, netting 24 goals across all competitions this campaign. In the Premier League alone, he has scored 21 goals, trailing only Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who has 22 league goals. Thiago's exceptional form has attracted attention from rival clubs, and Allardyce believes Manchester United should prioritize the Brazilian striker.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce stated: 'I mean, who's going to buy Brentford's centre-forward, Igor Thiago? Manchester United need to look no further as far as I'm concerned. He's hit the 20-goal mark, you don't need to look any further. I thought they'd go for [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, but maybe with his age they thought better of it. But this Brazilian lad [Thiago], he's scored 20 goals already and has got Brentford almost pushing for Europe.'
Brentford's Surprising Season and Manchester United's Current Standings
Brentford were widely expected to struggle this season following the departure of manager Thomas Frank, but under Keith Andrews, the Bees have climbed to seventh place in the Premier League, contending for European qualification. Meanwhile, Manchester United remain third in the table and on track for Champions League qualification, despite a surprising home defeat to Leeds United on Monday.
Carrick's squad is set to face struggling Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, while Brentford will take on London rivals Fulham in their next fixture. The summer transfer window promises significant activity for both clubs as they aim to strengthen their squads for future competitions.
