In an interesting exclusive from our writer Simon Phillips, it’s been revealed that Chelsea are so keen on signing Ivan Toney that they’re considering buying him before the January window even opens.
Toney is banned from football until then, but once the window opens he will be able to play again and there will be major competition for his signature.
Clubs can sign players whenever they like – they just can’t register them until the window opens. So potentially Chelsea could make Brentford an offer now, get an agreement with them and Toney, and have the striker ready to arrive at Cobham on January 1st to start training.
It’s a nice idea, although clubs rarely go through with it simply because of the risks of injury and other external factors.
The fact that other teams may come in for him is clearly something that needs to be weighed up against those risks.
