Chelsea now 'keeping tabs' on 'top-class' £50m star at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

Chelsea are probably keeping tabs on Brentford striker Ivan Toney, journalist Pete O'Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The Blues and Todd Boehly were busy in the last transfer window but did not splash out on a new No.9, meaning they could target one in the summer.

Chelsea transfer news - Ivan Toney

Writing for GMS, journalist Simon Phillips recently stated that Toney is definitely on Chelsea's radar.

In terms of how much the 26-year-old could cost, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claimed last summer that Brentford valued their talisman at £50m.

It remains to be seen whether that is still the case. Given how Toney has performed this season, it would not be a surprise if his price tag has gone up.

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He has been in excellent form, scoring against the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal.

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Ivan Toney and Chelsea?

O'Rourke reckons all of the top teams who want to sign a new striker this summer will have Toney on their radar, including Chelsea.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: "I think Ivan Toney's proven this season that he's one of the best strikers in the Premier League - doing great things again at Brentford. He had an outstanding game against Arsenal, probably gave [William] Saliba his toughest game he's had all season and not many forwards have been able to do that. So I think Ivan Toney's just helping himself and really establishing himself as a real top-class centre-forward right now in the Premier League.

"I'm sure all the clubs that are in the market for a No.9 this coming summer will be looking at Ivan Toney, and I'm sure Chelsea are keeping tabs on him because he has proved that he can handle it and he can do it against the best defences."

Are Chelsea looking at any other strikers?

According to 90min, Chelsea have actually made Napoli's Victor Osimhen their top centre-forward target for the summer.

However, the same outlet states that the Nigeria international could cost the Stamford Bridge outfit €150m (around £133m).

If Chelsea decide to sign Joao Felix permanently and manage to win the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, with The Telegraph claiming that they are ready to go all out for the 19-year-old, then they may have to go after a cheaper name should Graham Potter want to add a natural No.9 to his squad.

Ultimately, then, Toney is probably a more realistic target for the Blues as they potentially prioritise landing Felix and Bellingham over a striker.