Chelsea to rival Premier League clubs for 26-year-old striker

Chelsea are in the race with Everton and Manchester United to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney

According to the Mirror, Chelsea are set to rival Premier League clubs Everton and Manchester United to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.

Toney has been a United target during the course of this summer, but now they are joined by two more top-flight clubs. Chelsea, who are also trying to seal the move to sign Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are still in the market to sign a centre-forward irrespective of whether that deal gets completed or not.

As a matter of fact, Brentford are bracing themselves for bids expected to come in for Toney, who has been a talisman for them over the last two seasons.

The 26-year-old played a key role in the Bees securing promotion to the top flight last season. After getting promoted, he followed that up with 12 goals and five assists in 33 Premier League appearances. Toney was one of the main reasons that Brentford were comfortably safe in the top division.

He has started this campaign well too, with two goals and two assists in three league games so far. So, we can see why the three clubs are interested in him. With regards to his qualities, the former Peterborough United striker is a physically strong player, who has good speed and a sense of space.

He makes the right runs on most occasions and is a willing worker off the ball. When the chance arrives, he more or less hits the target or scores. The assist numbers show his eye for a pass to tee someone in for the goal.

From Chelsea’s point of view, at 26, Toney’s ceiling, experience and longevity to perform is much higher than Aubameyang’s. So, if the Blues are going all in to sign the Brentford man even if the latter is signed, it makes a lot of sense.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea could still sign Jules Kounde if Barcelona fail to register him
• Romelu Lukaku is suggesting Inter Milan sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah
• Thomas Tuchel gave his verdict on whether Chelsea need a striker like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang is 33 and may not have multiple good seasons ahead of him. In Toney, they will have an added option up front, and also a succession plan to lead the line for years to come.