Transfer notebook: Chelsea confident over Ivan Toney deal in January as Brentford name price

Chelsea are confident of signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

The Bees are braced for the departure of their suspended star man and have slapped a £60million asking price on his head.

talkSPORT understands Chelsea could make their move for Toney as early as the January transfer window to ward off any rival suitors.

Toney was allowed to return to training this week after serving the first half of his eight-month ban for breaching FA Betting rules.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is leading the charge to sign Toney after making it clear to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy that he needs more firepower.

The Blues have managed just five goals in their first five Premier League games.

RAMSDALE WON'T BE RUSHED

Aaron Ramsdale will not rush into a decision on his Arsenal future despite being brutally axed by Mikel Arteta.

Ramsdale was dropped to the bench for Arsenal’s defeat at Everton last weekend to make way for Brentford loanee David Raya.

In a further snub, the England international was not reinstated for the Gunners’ midweek Champions League return against PSV Eindhoven.

Clubs including Chelsea are monitoring Ramsdale’s situation but the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United star only signed a new five-year contract at the end of last season.

Ramsdale is understood to be settled at Arsenal and ready to try and fight to win back his place.

NEWCASTLE EYE SAINTS STAR

Newcastle are among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Southampton midfielder Carlos ‘Charlie’ Alcaraz.

The Magpies made an enquiry for Alcaraz during the summer transfer window and manager Eddie Howe is an admirer of the 20-year-old Argentine.

It will not have gone unnoticed at St James’s Park that Alcaraz is struggling to command a place in Saints’ starting line-up