A shock Premier League club have joined the race to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford, it has been reported.
The 28-year-old had been expected to agree terms with Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli as one of the league's marquee signings this summer.
Toney was excluded from Brentford's matchday squads for their opening two Premier League games.
Manager Thomas Frank said there had been transfer interest in the forward, but that no deal was 'close'.
Advert
Now, Chelsea have stunningly entered the race to sign Toney and are ready to lodge a bid of their own, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
Solhekol stated: "Chelsea have made a move to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford.
"We've known all summer that Chelsea are looking for a proven goalscorer. For a long time they've been trying to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, but today they have made this move for Ivan Toney and I think there's a pretty good chance that the move will be successful.
"The reason they are going for Toney is his incredible goalscoring record. At every level he has played at, he has scored.
"He's a player who's got that attitude of, 'Give me the ball and I will score'. That's what Chelsea are looking for.
"I think the transfer fee will be reasonable. Everyone knows he's only got a year left on his contract at Brentford.
"He hasn't been in the Brentford squad this season, so Brentford are looking to do a deal. A deal is there to be done."
Solhekol continued: "Chelsea are trying to slash their wage bill.
"They're not interested in signing players who are going to be earning £200-300,000 a week, they've got a new wage structure. The average wage of their new signings is between £60,000-70,000 a week.
"That is the base wage before you add in bonuses. I think there's a feeling Toney is willing to fit into that wage structure."
Topics: Premier League, Ivan Toney, Transfers
Ryan Smart