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 will fit into Chelsea’s wage structure and the transfer fee is expected to be a reasonable one.
Brentford had been in talks with Al Ahli over a deal for Toney, but up until last week the Saudi Arabian side were still some distance from the west London club’s valuation of the England striker.
Toney has an incredible offer from Saudi Arabia, but Chelsea can offer him Premier League football and the opportunity to remain in London.
Al Ahli have several former Premier League players in their squad including Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino.
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
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The Soccer Saturday panel debate why another Premier League club has not looked to sign Toney this transfer window
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.”
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.