Chelsea plotting £80m January transfer despite £1 BILLION spend

James Shearman

Updated: 4 Sept 2023 20:41 BST
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Chelsea are considering a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window, according to the Evening Standard.

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The Blues signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in the summer but he has not hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old's work rate is commendable but his finishing has not been up to scratch in the opening weeks of the 2023-24 season, highlighted by his shocking miss against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Chelsea's only other centre forward option is Armando Broja, who will return from a long-term injury after the international break.

So, head coach Mauricio Pochettino may have already decided that another new signing is needed.

Toney, who is reportedly valued at £80 million, is a Premier League proven goalscorer, netting 20 times last season.

And while there is no such thing as a guarantee when it comes to transfers, he would surely be a fantastic signing for the west London club.

But many fans will be wondering why the Blues are still in need of a top striker after spending over £1 billion under the new ownership.

Toney wants Brentford exit

Toney has officially joined sports management firm CAA Stellar, who are fronted by agent Jonathan Barnett, as he prepares for a Brentford exit.

The move to join Barnett's agency comes as a clear indication of his desire to leave in January when his betting ban is lifted.

Barnett boasts an impressive client list, sealing transfers for Eduardo Camavinga (to Real Madrid), Jack Grealish (to Manchester City) and Ibrahima Konate (to Liverpool) in recent years.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney is under consideration as a potential January target (for Chelsea).

~ @NizaarKinsella
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) September 4, 2023

Links with a Brentford exit have been rife, despite Toney’s ban, and FootballTransfers exclusively reported interest from Chelsea in April, Tottenham in July, and Man Utd in August.

Speaking on Steven Bartlett’s ‘Diary of a CEO’ podcast, Toney revealed his desire to join one of the biggest clubs in the world when his ban is lifted.

“Whenever that time comes [to leave Brentford], so be it," he said. "My time at Brentford has been good; one of the best times of my career."

Toney continued and said that if he ever left the Brentford Community Stadium, his next club would have to be "the right one."