Chelsea to spend again? Blues contemplating big-money January bid for returning Brentford hitman Ivan Toney

Chelsea are reportedly ready to splash a huge transfer sum to sign Brentford City's star striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window, according to Football.London.

Toney has been serving an eight-month ban since May after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules. He is expected to return to action on January 18, 2014.

The Blues are on the lookout for a quality striker in the next transfer window despite having the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Armando Brojaand Christopher Nkunku in their ranks. After a tough start to life in England, Jackson has finally found his scoring boots, having netted five times in the club's last five Premier League matches. But Pochettino is still looking for a proven number nine to further bolster his squad.

The Bees are reportedly interested in doing business in January considering the striker's contract expires in 2025 but they will demand a transfer fee of around £80 million (€91m/$99m)

The 27-year-old English striker was in sublime form before his suspension. In the 2022/23 season, the attacker scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for his club.

While the winter transfer window is still several weeks away, the Blues, for now, will concentrate on their upcoming league clash against Newcastle United on Saturday.