BRENTFORD are keen to get the Ivan Toney deal done and dusted by the weekend – and are likely to accept £45m for the wantaway striker.
And SunSport understands that Chelsea could yet be tempted into a late swoop for the England striker who is unlikely to play for the Bees again.
The hitman was left out of Brentford’s squad for Sunday’s 2-1 win against visitors Crystal Palace.
Manager Thomas Frank said there was too much transfer activity surrounding the striker so opted to leave him out.
The Bees had valued Toney at around £70m at the start of the summer but are prepared to drop the price to as low as £45m.
This comes as interest in the 28-year-old from Premier League sides is reportedly waning.
Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with the forward.
But now only Chelsea remain in the hunt, according to a source close to the Stamford Bridge club.
TalkSPORT has claimed that England international is demanding an annual salary of £17m, which amounts to around £325,000 per week.
Toney scored 20 Prem goals in the season before last, but missed most of last term after an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
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He is thought to prefer the idea of remaining in England and has openly told those close to him he thinks his best years are ahead of him.
Although a move to Saudi Arabia would be financially life-changing a late bid from Chelsea could persuade him against such a switch.
According to reports today, Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League are weighing up whether to increase their bid for Toney after an opening offer in the region of £35m was rejected.
If they fail to sell Toney before the transfer window shuts on August 30, Brentford run the risk of losing him for free in 12 months’ time. when his deal expires.
Asked if it was only a matter of time before the striker leaves, Frank said on Sunday: “Yes, I guess that is fair.
“Nothing closed yet, but things are happening, so because of all that, we decided not to be involved in the squad.”
Brentford signed Igor Thiago earlier this year in a £30m deal from Club Brugge to replace him.
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season due to transfer interest from elsewhere.
Newcastle have reportedly made a fourth bid worth £65million for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Chelsea are in talks with Atletico Madrid regarding a permanent move for Joao Felix.
Should an agreement be reached, it could resurrect the sale of Conor Gallagher to the Spanish giants.
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