Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling hold key to Chelsea completing £80m Ivan Toney transfer

Chelsea must convince Ivan Toney to join them in the January transfer window. The Brentford striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Blues and Arsenal amid both teams struggles in attack.

Toney, 27, is still serving his eight-month suspension for breaching FA regulation surrounding gambling and betting, but is set to return to action on January 16. His 35 goals in the last two seasons for the Bees have made him one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in Europe ahead of January.

Mauricio Pochettino's men are keen to add another No.9 in the winter, despite the summer signings ofNicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. Chelsea have scored 21 goals in 12 Premier League games — eight in their last two — but have ultimately struggled to find the back of the net.

A move for Toney is expected to be pursued once the winter window opens, although Pochettino will have to make a compelling argument for the England international to move to west London.

According to The Sun, Toney remains undecided on his future. A source close to the player has reportedly told the newspaper that he is unsure whether January will be the right time to leave Thomas Frank's side.

«A lot of people assume Ivan will be on his way after Christmas, but no deal has been done — and nothing has been decided,» the source said. «Ivan is torn over his future. Brentford have stood by him and the club have been brilliant.

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»Part of him wants to help them by hitting the ground running straight away in January and scoring the goals which will ensure they stay in the Premier League.

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