Chelsea are reportedly set to increase their summer spending with a move to sign Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney.
The 28-year-old has been omitted from the Bees’ opening two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool as he looks to force through a move. Toney has one year left on his contract but appears intent on leaving Brentford this summer after transfer links throughout previous windows.
According to Sky Sports, Brentford have been in talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli over a deal for Toney, but an agreement was still a distance away from the Bees’ valuation.
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However, Chelsea have now entered the fray and Toney is said to fit the Blues’ wage structure and the transfer fee is believed to be a reasonable one.
Todd Boehly’s spending at Stamford Bridge reached £1.15billion on almost 40 acquisitions in just two years. But despite the incredible outlay, Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency in front of goal left the Blues still needing a top-class striker.
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(Image: Getty Images)
It appears that Enzo Maresca may be getting such a man with Chelsea appearing to be unopposed by Premier League rivals in his bid.
Manchester United added Joshua Zirkzee and Tottenham Hotspur signed Dominic Solanke in their striker search. While Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool haven’t yet shown interest in Toney.
However, fans of clubs further down the top-flight have been blasting Premier League regulations for still somehow allowing Chelsea to buy another player amid Profitability and Sustainability rules restricting other clubs in the league while the Blues so far appear to be operating in the clear.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
One fan on social media raged: “Honestly how the f*** are these able to sign 20 players a window but Newcastle are forced sell a promising player in Yankuba Minteh and a homegrown talent in Elliot Anderson because of Premier League PSR? The system is so broken and in favour of the Top 6.”
Supporters quickly hit back, ironically pointing out that academy youngsters like Lewis Hall, who was sold to Newcastle in a deal potentially rising to £35million, have given Chelsea the platform to spend a seemingly excessive amount of money.
“They can buy because they have sold players. They’ve got a never-ending conveyor belt of youngsters,” one account replied.
“If you just do little research you will see we have sold a lot of academy players to fund this window,” one Chelsea fan replied. While a third argued: “How much Money does your Club Generate from Player sales let start from there.”
So far this window, Chelsea have seen former academy players Hall, Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher and Omari Hutchinson leave the club for a combined fee of over £125m.
Maresca previously spoke out on Chelsea’s transfer business, explaining that Blues youngsters are being sold to fund fresh deals and comply with PSR regulations.
“This is not Chelsea’s problem. This is the rules problem,” he said. “The clubs are compelled to sell players because of the rules. It’s not a Chelsea problem, it is a Premier League problem. The intention from Chelsea is not to sell – but the rules in the end make us.”