Chelsea hold secret talks with striker's agent

Chelsea are reportedly in secret negotiations with the representative of Brentford striker Ivan Toney ahead of January.

The west London giants bolstered their strikeforce with Nicolas Jackson last summer, but he has been disappointing with just two league goals from seven games.

Hence, the club are likely to invest on a marquee centre-forward in the New Year and Toney has been identified as a top target for the club.

Toney is currently suspended for breaching FA rules on betting. He won't play competitive football until the middle of January.

Nonetheless, he has been working hard behind the scenes at Brentford and recently scored for them in a friendly behind closed-doors.

The Englishman is ready to take up a bigger challenge away from the Bees, but won't come on the cheap for interested clubs this winter.

The Bees are set to demand between £60-80 million for the striker, who is also on the radar of London rivals Arsenal ahead of January.