Chelsea have initiated talks to acquire Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to Sky Sports.
The Blues are keen on bolstering their attacking options with the addition of Toney, who has been a standout performer for Brentford in recent seasons.
Chelsea are on the lookout for a proven goalscorer to take on the number nine role.
The club is interested in a 28-year-old player who fits well within their wage structure and whose transfer fee is deemed reasonable.
Despite an enticing offer from a Saudi Arabian club, the England international may be swayed by the opportunity to play in the Premier League with Chelsea.
Chelsea’s interest in signing Ivan Toney could further inflate their already bloated squad, which has faced criticism for its size.
Currently, the club has an eye-watering 43 players on their books, though only 28 were selected for the recent preseason tour.
This surplus has led to several players, including Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga, being forced to train separately while Chelsea scrambles for solutions.
Consequently, it remains uncertain whether Toney would want to join such an environment.
Adding to the challenge, Chelsea faces stiff competition for Toney’s signature.
The £60 million-rated striker is also a target for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, who are reportedly prepared to offer him a lucrative three-year deal.
If Toney were to move there, he would join notable players like Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Roberto Firmino.
Should a deal with Al Ahli fall through, Toney has made it clear he wishes to leave Brentford. However, time is running out for him to secure a move.
Toney aims to advance his career after starting at Northampton Town and moving to Newcastle United in 2015.
Despite struggling to break into Newcastle’s first team, he gained valuable experience through loans to various lower-league clubs.
His breakthrough came at Peterborough United, where he became a prolific goalscorer, leading to a move to Brentford in 2020.
At Brentford, Toney excelled, breaking the Championship single-season scoring record and helping the club achieve Premier League promotion.
He continued his impressive form in the top flight, establishing himself as one of England’s most clinical strikers.
However, Toney’s career faced a setback in 2023 when he received an eight-month ban from football for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules.
He was charged with 232 betting offenses between 2017 and 2021, with an additional 30 charges added a month later.
Toney admitted to most of the breaches, resulting in his suspension and a £50,000 fine.
Despite Brentford’s support during this period, it appears Toney’s future now lies elsewhere.
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