Chelsea could have an advantage over clubs from Spain and Italy in the race to sign one of their reported striker targets this summer.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with a host of forwards ahead of the next transfer window, including Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
One report has claimed that the Blues are now prioritising signing Osimhen and Sesko over Gyokeres despite his ridiculous form this season.
In 39 appearances for Sporting, the 25-year-old has scored an incredible 36 goals.
As well as the trio, Chelsea are also thought to be interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
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Why Chelsea could have advantage in race for Ivan Toney
According to The Sun, Spanish and Italian clubs have also been following Toney.
However, the same outlet has claimed that the 28-year-old has told his advisers that he does not want to leave the Premier League and is open-minded about staying in the capital amid interest from Chelsea and West Ham United.
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It means a move to Stamford Bridge is more than possible, with his reported price tag also sounding quite reasonable.
As per the Daily Mirror, Brentford are going to have to soften their stance if they wish to sell Toney this summer and could now be forced to do business at £60m.
The Bees will obviously not want to lose him, but with the England international’s contract expiring in 2025, they may have little choice but to sanction a deal in the summer.
Who should be higher on Chelsea’s shortlist, Ivan Toney or Viktor Gyokeres?
What Gyokeres is doing at Sporting this season is simply amazing. His numbers are crazy and while the Portuguese league is not the No.1 division in the world, his stats can still not be overlooked — they are too good.
Still, Gyokeres has not proven himself in the Premier League, whereas Toney has, while this is his first campaign dominating one of Europe’s top divisions.
It also looks like the Sweden international is going to cost more than Toney because of the €100m (£85.3m) release clause in his contract.
If Toney, who scored 20 goals for Brentford in the English top flight last season, actually is going to cost £60m, then he probably should be above Gyokeres on Chelsea’s shortlist heading into the next window. At that price and because he has excelled in this country before, the former Peterborough United man would be a much safer bet.
It is certainly going to be interesting to see what Chelsea do with the striker position come the summer.
