Chelsea have locked horns with Manchester United and Everton for the signing of Ivan Toney as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his frontline. The 26-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move away from Brentford in recent times, with Arsenal once said to have been leading the transfer race.
But, with Todd Boehly in the market for a talisman, the Blues look poised to sting Thomas Frank's Premier League survival hopes. According to the Mirror, Chelsea are weighing up a bid for Toney and the Bees are bracing themselves for offers before the summer window slams shut.
The report add that Tuchel could push to sign two number nines, with the west Londoners looking to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. football.london understand that Chelsea submitted a £22million bid for the 33-year-old on Wednesday evening.
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It's believed that talks with Barcelona over Aubameyang's sale are ongoing. Tuchel is eager to reunite with the Gabon international, who prospered under the German's stewardship at Borussia Dortmund.
The Chelsea boss is said to have specifically identified the former Arsenal captain as a priority signing, though it seems a swoop for their west London neighbours' star man could still be on the cards too. However, the Mirror add that United have been long admirers of Toney.
Though there is one factor which could tempt the Blues into accelerating a deal for Toney. The £40million-rated striker is likened to Didier Drogba by his teammates at Brentford.
Chelsea have come close to finding the heir to the Ivorian's throne - Diego Costa, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud - and Toney could be next in line. Speaking in 2021, as quoted by the Mirror, teammate Christian Norgaard said: "I think Bryan and Ivan did a fantastic job and they linking up very well at the moment.
"I heard someone in the changing room comparing Ivan with Didier Drogba. I think he looked a bit like him actually - the way he kept the ball, his first touch and his passes. He won every single header and he is a right player."
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