Chelsea
have made a move to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford.
Chelsea are after a proven goalscorer to be their new No 9 and have been
linked with a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Toney has less than a year left on his contract and was left out of
Brentford's first two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and
Liverpool.
The 28-year-old striker has a lucative offer from Al Ahli and Chelsea would
not be able to match the wages on offer from Saudi Arabia, but can offer
Premier League football and the chance to remain in West London.
Al Ahli, who have former Premier Leagure players Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy
and Roberto Firmino in their squad, have yet to meet Brentford's valuation
of the England striker.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was tight-lipped on Toney's future in a press
conference on Tuesday. "Today, we have nothing to say about Ivan Toney," he
said.
Asked about the possibility of losing two strikers, with Yoane Wissa the
subject of a bid from Nottingham Forest, he added: "Right now I have two
players. Very happy."
Solhekol: Evident Chelsea need a striker
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"They have made this move for Ivan Toney and I think there is pretty good
chance that the move will be successful.
"The reason they are going for Toney is his incredible goalscoring record.
Every level he has played at, he has scored.
"I think if you speak to a lot of Chelsea supporters, I think they would say
it's great to buy all of these young players, but what we want is a No. 9.
"It's evident that's what they were missing - especially in the first game
of the season against Manchester City, because Manchester City had Erling
Haaland.
"I think they need more of a presence. They need somebody with a bit of an
aura about them and I think Ivan Toney certainly fits the bill."
Redknapp: Brentford's last chance to get
genuine money
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp on Super Sunday:
"Toney has a year left on his contract, so it is Brentford's last chance to
get some genuine money for him and he is looking at his options.
"A year ago he had a lot more than he has now. We thought he would go to
Arsenal but that did not happen. Chelsea have looked at him. But I feel
Saudi Arabia is an opportunity for him. There is interest there.
"Or he could sit, see out his contract and leave as a free agent next year,
but he probably wants to do something now."
When does the summer transfer window
close?
The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK
time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the
other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following
discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
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