Chelsea makes Toney number 1 transfer target while Brentford holds on to the club record fee
CHELSEA are planning a big summer bid for Ivan Toney.
SunSport understands the Brentford striker is seen as the 'number one target' for their west London rivals.
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The Bees are thought to be demanding a fee in excess of £80million for the striker, who has made a goal-rich return to the side following his gambling ban.
To land Toney for such a price, Chelsea would have to offload a number of players to meet financial fair play requirements.
But the side's manager Mauricio Pochettino has told Blues owners Toney that he is a player he believes can take the side “to the next level”.
Our source said: “Chelsea want Ivan Toney. Everyone knows Chelsea need a striker and at the moment he is the best available striker in the Premier League.”
“Pochettino has made it clear that if he is available, and the club can get the deal done, they will have to move heaven and earth to get him. He believes Toney can transform his team and help achieve the goals of to achieve it.” real title candidates again.”
Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Toney as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
Details of the latest twist come just weeks after we exclusively revealed how Toney was “torn” over a January move.
A source close to the player said Toney, who was previously banned for gambling offences, feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brentford and to the club's manager Thomas Frank, meaning any move towards summer may be postponed.
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The source said: “A lot of people are assuming Ivan will be on his way after Christmas but no deal has been done yet – and nothing has been decided yet.
“Ivan is divided about his future. Brentford have backed him and the club have been brilliant. Part of him wants to help them by getting straight into work in January and scoring goals that will keep them in the Premier League. “
“There are many clubs interested in Ivan, but his focus for now is on returning to the pitch at Brentford and doing business for his manager Thomas Frank, to whom he feels he owes a large debt. The same goes for it.” for the fans.
“He is determined to return to the England squad and Ivan fully believes he will be in the first team once he returns to football.”
The source also said Brentford are under no pressure to sell their top striker.
“They don't need the money,” the source said. “Toney is their player and they will only consider selling him if the offer is good for the club.”
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