Exclusive: Chelsea or West Ham are now the two most likely clubs to sign 'world class' striker this summer
02/05/2024 09:55
- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Ivan Toney's representatives are working hard on finding him a new club and TBR Football understands that Chelsea are emerging as an option for him.
Toney, who is considered ‘world class’ by his manager Thomas Frank, is set to leave Brentford this summer with just over 12-months left on his current deal.
Toney, who is hoping to be included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for this summer's European Championship, is ready to move on after four years in West London.
However, it remains to be seen who is in the market for Toney – given Brentford's asking price, which TBR is told is still well in excess of £50million.
Arsenal had considered Toney in January but TBR understands they have backed away from having assessed him.
Interested parties in Ivan Toney
Manchester United have also been doing their homework on the player, but again it remains to be seen if he is top of their list to bolster their options as they are looking to bring in a front-man to go alongside Rasmus Hojlund.
TBR understands Tottenham do like Toney, but they are unlikely to go above £40million for him. Former club Newcastle have also been monitoring the situation, should they lose Callum Wilson this summer.
As such TBR has been told by sources with knowledge of the situation that the two most likely options for Toney at this point are Chelsea and West Ham.
West Ham have always been in contention for Toney and have made it known to his people they do have a firm interest. And it is now understood that Chelsea are again doing work on Toney.
- READ MORE: Three London clubs are all trying to sign Chelsea player who’s going to leave Stamford Bridge
Chelsea to change their transfer strategy to accommodate Ivan Toney
Toney was looked at closely by Chelsea last summer but the club's hierarchy introduced an unofficial rule that they did not want any signing to be above 25, which rules out Toney as he was 27 at the time.
Now 28, TBR has been told that Chelsea are willing to flex their stance as the club's top brass believe that having some experience could have a real positive impact on their young squad going forward.
A striker is one of Chelsea's top priorities this summer and TBR has previously confirmed that Napoli's Victor Osimhen remains their top priority – which remains the case. But Paris Saint-Germain believe they are in the driving seat for the Nigerian and whilst Chelsea don't feel that is the case, if it turns out to be true they are doing their due diligence on other options and Toney is towards the top of their list alongside the likes of Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and RB Leipzig pair Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda.
The post Exclusive: Chelsea or West Ham are now the two most likely clubs to sign 'world class' striker this summer appeared first on TBR Football.
