Chelsea made a last-minute effort to acquire Ivan Toney, who is nearing a £50 million transfer to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League this summer, according to reports.
The Times reveals that Brentford is optimistic about selling the highly sought-after England forward, with personal terms reportedly already settled.
Although Al-Ahli’s £35 million offer for Toney was rejected, Brentford is still considering their next steps.
The Sun has reported Chelsea’s interest in Toney. The striker, who participated in Euro 2024 this summer, has just one year left on his contract, prompting Brentford to contemplate a new bid.
Chelsea finalized a £46 million deal for Joao Felix on Wednesday, which allowed them to sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid. However, Chelsea is still linked with a potential move for a central striker, and Toney remains a key target this summer.
Toney was left out of Brentford’s opening match squad amid increasing speculation about his future as the August 30 transfer deadline approaches.
His Premier League record includes 36 goals and 11 assists in 85 appearances, and he also has six caps for England.
Before Brentford’s first game of the season, manager Thomas Frank acknowledged that Toney’s potential sale is likely.
He said, “There’s a lot happening with Ivan, and there’s some transfer interest. Because of this, we decided not to include him in the squad.
Who knows if he’s played his last game? There is interest, but nothing is imminent.”
