Ivan Toney, the talented Brentford striker, finds himself at the center of a transfer tug-of-war as Chelsea have entered the race to sign him, potentially derailing his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
The England international, who has been a standout performer for Brentford, is now being courted by two clubs with very different offers on the table.
Toney had reportedly agreed to join Al-Ahli, a club that has been actively recruiting top talent from Europe. However, Chelsea’s interest in the striker has added a new twist to the saga.
The Blues turned their attention to Toney after their efforts to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen hit a snag due to the striker’s wage demands.
With Toney entering the final year of his contract at Brentford, the speculation surrounding his future has intensified.
He has yet to feature in Brentford’s Premier League games this season, with manager Thomas Frank admitting that the ongoing transfer discussions have kept him out of the squad.
“A lot of things going on with Ivan. Especially with transfers, there’s a lot of transfer interest,” Frank said. “Because of all that, we’ve decided not to include him in the squad.”
Toney’s absence has raised eyebrows, especially given his importance to the team over the past four years. Despite this, Frank remains confident that Brentford can cope without him, as they proved last season.
Sky Sports now reports that Chelsea is attempting to hijack Al-Ahli’s move for Toney. The London club is keen to secure a proven goalscorer before the transfer window closes and believes they can convince Toney to stay in the Premier League.
The transfer fee for Toney is expected to be “reasonable,” and it’s believed that his wages would fit within Chelsea’s structure, making the move financially viable.
Toney, who has scored 36 goals in 85 Premier League appearances for Brentford, has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level.
In an interview last year, he expressed his ambition to join a bigger club and compete for trophies.
“Everyone wants to play at the top of the tree,” Toney said. “Not that Brentford aren’t there, but everyone wants to play for these big clubs and compete for trophies.”
As the transfer window edges closer to closing, the decision Toney makes could shape the next chapter of his career.
Whether he chooses the lucrative offer from Al-Ahli or the opportunity to shine at Stamford Bridge, one thing is clear: Toney is ready for a new challenge.
