Reports from Football.London suggest Chelsea’s keen interest in acquiring Brentford’s prolific forward, Ivan Toney, in a high-profile January transfer deal. Toney, the star striker for Brentford City, has been serving an eight-month ban since May due to admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules. His anticipated return to action is slated for January 18, 2014.
Despite possessing talents like Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, and Christopher Nkunku in their squad, Chelsea is actively seeking a top-tier striker in the upcoming transfer window. While Jackson has recently found form with five goals in the last five Premier League matches after a challenging start in England, Manager Pochettino remains eager to bolster the team with a proven number nine.
Brentford, aware of Toney’s contract expiring in 2025, is open to January negotiations but demands a hefty transfer fee of approximately £80 million (€91m/$99m). The 27-year-old English striker showcased exceptional form before his suspension, scoring an impressive 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances during the 2022/23 season.
As the winter transfer window looms, Chelsea’s immediate focus remains on their upcoming league clash against Newcastle United, setting their sights on potential moves in the transfer market in the weeks to come.