Chelsea ‘make Ivan Toney their number one target’, as Brentford look resigned to selling their star striker for a club record £80m, and the Blues seek better firepower up front
- A new report names Ivan Toney as Chelsea’s ‘number one target’ this summer
- Brentford have resigned to selling their popular striker this year for a club record fee
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Chelsea have named Brentford’s Ivan Toney as their ‘goal number one’ this summer, according to a new report.
The Blues have struggled this season in Mauricio Pochettino’s debut season, with frequent questions raised over the lack of a natural goalscorer who can take away chances.
Toney has been one of the Premier League’s best goalscorers in recent years and has proven to be a top player in front of goal. Brentford appear to be resigned to selling him in the summer rather than letting him leave for nothing in 2025.
The sun report that Chelsea have put Toney at the top of their wish list following the Bees forward’s recent return from a gambling ban.
A source told the newspaper: ‘Chelsea want Ivan Toney. Everyone knows Chelsea need a striker and right now he is the best available striker in the Premier League.
Chelsea have named Brentford’s Ivan Toney as their ‘target’, according to a report
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Toney can make them title challengers again
‘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 them achieve their goals and become real title contenders again.”
It is also thought that Brentford would want £80 million for Toney, which would be a record fee for the club, but would also give Thomas Frank the necessary cash to reinvest in his squad.
They have already signed Igor Thiago for €31 million from Club Brugge, with the 22-year-old Brazilian striker set to join on July 1 as the Bees prepare for Toney’s impending departure.
Toney missed the end of last season and the first few months of this season after admitting gambling violations, but returned to action in January after serving his eight-month suspension.
Toney has also been strongly linked with a possible move to local rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said Toney’s long-term future lies outside the club
Bees boss Frank has said the striker may stay until the end of the season but his long-term future lies away from the Gtech Community Stadium via ‘a few scenarios’.
His contract expires at the end of next season and he has indicated he would like to play for a club higher up in the Premier League.
