Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window – but they may have to sell before they can make a deal.
Inter Milan are preparing a January move to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja – which could help Mauricio Pochettino fund the signing of Brentford star Ivan Toney.
football.london understands that the England international is someone the Blues have been interested in for a long time and when his ban ends in January, a move for the Brentford striker could be on the table.
However, signing someone who has missed more than half the season due to a ban carries a risk in itself.
Arsenal and Tottenham are also said to be interested in signing Toney in January, which could spark a three-way bidding war.
According to London World, the Blues are leading the race to sign Toney before the January transfer window.
The report adds that the Brentford star is Pochettino’s ideal choice, meeting three important criteria; English, age and proven in the Premier League.
Nicolas Jackson has had a rather indifferent start to life at Stamford Bridge since moving from Villarreal in the summer.
The Senegalese striker missed many big opportunities despite scoring 3 goals in 9 appearances in all competitions.
Armando Broja scored on his first start for the Blues against Fulham after recovering from a serious knee injury last December.
The Albanian striker struggled to make the same impact in the 4-1 win over Burnley before the international break, highlighting the contradiction Pochettino faces between his attacking options that.
According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are considering a move for Broja in January and believe Chelsea could be tempted by a deal if the 22-year-old continues to struggle with ‘continuity’ .
The sale of Broja – valued at £17.
2m by CIES Football Observatory – could boost the Blues’ hopes of signing Toney as it would open up a place in Pochettino’s squad while also adding money to reinvest in signing a contract with the England international.
Toney plans to start a new chapter in his career when the January transfer window opens after changing agents – signing for super agent Jonathan Barnett’s CAA Stellar agency.
Brentford are said to have made an asking price of £60m for Toney to leave the club – but Arsenal and Tottenham could compete with Chelsea for his signature, which could drive up his price increased to 70 million pounds.
Toney has proven he can be a consistent goalscorer in the Premier League after scoring 20 goals in 33 appearances last season.
The 27-year-old could become a key player for Pochettino at Stamford Bridge and help the club return to the top of the Premier League – if the Blues can fend off rival interest from the Gunners and Spurs to get his signature.