Chelsea make move to sign Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney

 

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Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney emerges as late summer transfer target for Chelsea; Toney, who is also wanted by Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, has less than a year left to run on his existing contract

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."