Chelsea and Arsenal are living through two very different seasons so far. The Gunners are in title contention for the Premier League and remain a dark horse to capture their first Champions League title. In stark contrast, The Blues are languishing in the middle of the table, with little sign of improvement. Simon Stone and Miguel Delaney have reported that the two London clubs have both targeted Brentford’s Ivan Toney to increase their goal tally but have been dealt a blow in their chase for the striker.
Brentford State ‘Unbelievable’ £100 Million Asking Price for Ivan Toney
Brentford want £100m for Ivan Toney
Chelsea looking into challenging Arsenal for signing, but really need £160m in sales
Brentford emboldened by fact strikers at such a premiumhttps://t.co/nOBsoNaxWp
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 4, 2024
Chelsea Would Need £160 Million in Sales
In his article, Delaney stated that “Brentford want £100m for Ivan Toney.” While Thomas Frank told journalists earlier today that it would take an ‘Unbelievable’ bid to pry the England international from The Bees, who are sat at 16th in the Premier League table.
Given their need to secure survival for next season, the table would suggest that an irresistible offer would be needed to secure his services.
Under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, both clubs would need to sell players to raise the funds needed to sign him. Brentford are seeking to take advantage of a market where strikers are at “a premium.”
It is believed that Chelsea would possibly need to raise £160 million to complete a deal within the financial fair play rules.
Neither Chelsea nor Arsenal have indicated that they would agree to such a high price or the sales they would need to complete such a deal.
The 27-year-old has been suspended since May 2023 following 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules. He is eligible to make his Premier League return later this month, where he will look to improve on the 68 goals he has scored with Brentford. In the 2022-23 season, he scored 20 goals in the league, 33% of their league total.
Read More: ‘Negotiations Ongoing’: Chelsea Pushed By ‘Clever’ Star To Finalize Winter Exit
‘Unbelievable Offer Will Force the Sale’ of Arsenal & Chelsea Target
Stone noted, in his article for BBC Sport, that Brentford boss Thomas Frank said ‘only an unbelievable offer will force the sale’ of Toney. The 27-year-old’s 21 goals last year helped keep the Bees in the Premier League. Currently, they sit 16th, only four points above the relegation zone.
Frank wants to move the club out of their “sticky patch… as quickly as possible.” Brentford are no stranger to this situation. This year they will need Toney’s goalscoring capabilities to pick up the points needed to stay in the Premier League. Chelsea and Arsenal, for their part, could still pursue the Englishman if the opportunity arises.
The Danish head coach has made no secret of his opinion on Toney. He labelled the striker “remarkable” in a press conference ahead of a league tie against Fulham, noting he was only being outscored at the time by Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
Ivan Toney’s Rise to Stardom
The forward has scored over 150 goals in his career. His first taste of the Premier League came back in the 2015/16 season with Newcastle United, but it was not until the 2021/22 campaign that he began to make his mark with Brentford. Chelsea and Arsenal will have to either wait for the striker to become more affordable, or end their pursuit of him.
