Chelsea are eager to make a move for Ivan Toney early in the January window to avoid rival suitors, as Brentford want £60 million.
According to Talk Sport, Chelsea are confident about signing Ivan Toney in the January window ahead of their rivals. The 27-year-old is also a target for Arsenal, as the Brentford star is open to leaving the club for a bigger challenge.
Ivan Toney could have been one of the big striker signings in the Premier League during the summer window, but his betting breaches ban prevented any move from materialising. Many top clubs were in search of a new striker, and the 27-year-old would have fit the bill at many of those.
Arsenal chose to bring in Kai Havertz, but Mikel Arteta has used the German in an unfamiliar midfield role. The Gunners hold an interest in Toney, but signing a striker is not the manager’s absolute priority in the January window.
Thomas Frank appeared on Sky Sports MNF and claimed Brentford were a selling club and could consider all offers that arrived for Toney. His comments on the show may have boosted the hopes of Chelsea and Arsenal as the London duo could make attempts to sign him.
🚨 Chelsea are confident of signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is leading the charge to sign Toney after making it clear to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy that he needs more firepower.#CFC
(@alex_crook) pic.twitter.com/SKe7VShERG
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) September 22, 2023
Despite claims that Brentford could demand £80 million for Toney, recent stories indicated the Bees would ask for £50-60 million. The current report mentioned a similar figure, which would not trouble either Arsenal or Chelsea.
Chelsea are keen on Toney as they may yet need to sign a top-draw striker to lead the line. The Blues have had a difficult start to their season and visibly have missed a focal point up front who can also score goals.
Nicolas Jackson has yet to live up to the mark, and someone like Toney would help them immensely. Some sections have insisted the 27-year-old may not fit into Chelea’s recent transfer policy of signing players under the age of 25. Still, there are hardly any better strikers who are readily available at the moment.
Toney is open to leaving Brentford for a bigger challenge, and during a recent interview, he may have leaned towards joining Arsenal. The Gunners are very much in the race, but Chelsea are growing in confidence about signing the Brentford star.
Chelsea could make an early move for Toney to ward off Suitors and get a deal done quickly with Brentford. The approach may work for them if no other club hold a genuine interest. But if the player’s aware of someone like Arsenal, then things could get complicated for the Blues.
Arsenal, for their transfer policy, may end up looking at someone like Evan Ferguson of Brighton more than Toney. Things could change if the former stays on his current side for the next many years. Then they might make a concerted effort for the 27-year-old in January if he’s available.