Chelsea to submit initial bid for Ivan Toney?

Rumours this morning suggest that Chelsea are to make an initial approach to Brentford to sign striker Ivan Toney in a transfer deal that could be worth as much as £80 million. The Blues' initial bid, for the player who has just 18 months remaining on his deal, will likely be rejected as the Bees plan to keep hold of Toney for the last few months of the season.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a transfer for Toney, and Manchester United are known to have monitored the forward's progress since he first arrived in the Premier League.

Toney seemingly put himself in the shop window last week, when he told reporters: "Everyone knows that I would love to play for a top team and be at the top of the leagues, playing with the best. I’m a Brentford player at the moment and until that time comes, this window or at the end of the season, then so be it."

Arsenal are concerned about FFP and the chance of a mega money bid is very unlikely this year, despite Mikel Arteta declaring that he is a fan of the striker. This seemingly opens the door for Chelsea to sign the clinical forward.