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Ivan Toney facing Chelsea transfer conundrum as Todd Boehly rule means Blues can’t match wages on offer in Saudi Arabia
The Blues are leaving it late to bring in a new striker
CHELSEA have enquired about Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
And the Blues are also working on an exit for Raheem Sterling with a potential swap deal with Manchester United for Jadon Sancho ahead of the window shutting on Friday.
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Enzo Maresca is desperate for an established Prem No.9 to lead the line for Chelsea this season and has made a late surge to snatch the Bees star away from West London.
Toney, 28, has already agreed personal terms with Saudi Super League outfit Al Ahli but a transfer fee is still being negotiated with Brentford demanding £50m.
Chelsea are confident they can match that evaluation for the Toney – who has one year left on his Brentford contract and has been left out of their opening two Prem games this term.
However, Toney would have to accept a significantly lower wage packet than the one being offered by Al Ahli to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.
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Under American owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea have a strict new wage structure, with the average weekly deal for new signings between £60k and £70k with incentivised bonuses.
Chelsea were previously linked with Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen but appear to have been priced out of a move for the Nigerian striker, 25.
Al Ahli, who have former Premier League players Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino in their squad, are hoping to entice Toney to leave for Saudi.
But Toney would also be tempted to remain in the Premier League with aspirations of becoming a regular for England after starring for the Three Lions at this summer’s Euros.
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Speaking ahead of Brentford’s Carabao Cup clash against Colchester on Wednesday, Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “Today, we have nothing to say about Ivan Toney.”
Asked about the possibility of losing two strikers, with Yoane Wissa the subject of a £15m bid from Nottingham Forest, he added: “Right now I have two players. Very happy.”
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 9: Ivan Toney of Brentford in action during the pre-season friendly between Brentford and VFL Wolfsburg at Gtech Community Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Man United are in talks to bring Sterling to Old Trafford with Sancho potentially heading the other way in an audacious swap move.
United sporting director Dan Ashworth has reportedly been trying to negotiate the deal with Sterling, 29, currently frozen out of Maresca’s bloated Chelsea squad with his number stripped.
Sterling – who earns over £300k-a-week at Chelsea – is set to train with the club’s U21 squad should he fail to move away before the deadline.
Chelsea meanwhile are long-term admirers of Sancho, who has been left out of the squad for their first two Prem outings having fallen out with Erik ten Hag last campaign.