Toney’s future becoming clear as Chelsea unlock Osimhen deal
Robin Bairner
- 10 Nov 2023 07:15 GMT
- 4 min read
Ivan Toney’s future in the January transfer window might just have been decided thanks to news breaking hundreds of miles from London, where Chelsea, Arsenal and potentially even Tottenham have all been linked with a move for the Brentford man.
The revelation that Roma are getting ready to buy Romelu Lukaku from the Blues is bound to have big implications for the England striker, who is presently serving a ban due to illegal betting activities.
Chelsea are set to recoup around €42 million for the Belgium international striker from Jose Mourinho’s side, which will have Financial Fair Play implications for the Stamford Bridge side.
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A deal looks likely to be done in the summer, so Mauricio Pochettino’s side may be willing to hold off making a decision over a centre-forward until then – particularly as Christopher Nkunku is set to return from injury after the international break, offering the club their star summer signing in competitive action for the first time.
Why does this affect Toney and Brentford?
Osimhen better suited to Chelsea than Toney
Toney appears to be the cut-price option that Chelsea were targeting. Although Brentford are still set to ask for a dizzying sum for a player who will not have played competitively for around nine months by the time he steps back onto a football field, the implication from Roma to the Blues that they have a transfer windfall coming in the summer means they do not need to push hard for the striker now.
Instead, they can wait it out for a more expensive option, such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who is also a more proven scorer at a higher level. The Nigeria international is in a contract deadlock with Napoli, who could be forced into a sale next summer given the player’s deal is up in 2025.
Osimhen fits Chelsea’s transfer policy better given that he is only 24, while Napoli’s demand for a big fee is less likely to put the Blues off if they know they are guaranteed to sell Lukaku.
This is positive news for Arsenal, who nevertheless view Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus as their ideal No.9 addition. Again, he is a younger and potentially cheaper option than Toney, who is once again just another name on their shortlist.
Tottenham could, therefore, make a late play for the England international, with Spurs still seeking to replace Harry Kane.
Indeed, Spurs might just be the winners from recent events, with a path clearing to sign Toney from Brentford in January as Chelsea and Arsenal look elsewhere.
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