Chelsea ‘could battle Manchester United for Ivan Toney’
Chelsea could reportedly rival Manchester United for the signature of Brentford forward Ivan Toney before the end of the summer transfer window.
Both clubs are looking to bring in new strikers before the end of the market, with the Blues currently being strongly linked with Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Man United, meanwhile, are still unsure whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be departing before the end of the month, but the club will push for another forward even if the Portuguese stays.
According to The Mirror, Chelsea and Man United are both showing an interest in Toney, while Everton have also asked to be kept informed of any developments.
The report claims that the Blues view the Brentford forward as a genuine alternative to Aubameyang, who has emerged as the London club’s leading target in the final third of the field.
Toney impressed for Brentford during the 2021-22 campaign, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions in 37 appearances in all competitions, in addition to contributing six assists.
The 26-year-old scored 12 times and registered five assists in the Premier League last term, while he has been in strong form at the start of this season, contributing two goals and two assists in three league outings.
Toney has netted in Brentford’s Premier League encounters with Leicester City and Fulham this season, while he provided two assists in his side’s 4-0 win over Man United.
“My qualities in the air is something we worked on. I’m obviously up against a smaller centre-back. It was a good game plan,” Toney told reporters after his side’s 4-0 win over Erik ten Hag‘s team, with Lisandro Martinez being substituted at the break due to his aerial issues.
“I was just trying to put my body about and get the better of him. To be fair to him, he was doing well. He was very aggressive for a centre-back. Sometimes he gets beat in the air but he was aggressive on the floor. I felt like it was 50-50.
“It’s a compliment to me, him getting subbed off at half time, whether it was because of me or if it was the style of play they wanted to go for.”
Newcastle United, West Ham United and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in Toney this summer, but Brentford have him on a contract until June 2025.