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Ivan Toney 'heavily linked' with Brentford exit amid Saudi and Premier League rumours - Paper Round
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Updated 12/08/2024 at 08:25 GMT+1
Al-Ahli are one of a number of Saudi Pro League clubs interested in Brentford striker Ivan Toney, while Chelsea and Napoli are at an impasse regarding their strikers Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen. Elsewhere, Fulham have made their opening bid for Crystal Palace defender Joachim Anderson, and Leicester City want both Wilfried Zaha and Fotis Ioannidis.
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Toney attracts Al-Ahli interest
England international Ivan Toney is attracting interest from Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League.
The Sun reports that Brentford now want ÂŁ30 million for the 28-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The paper writes: “The Brentford striker has been heavily linked with an exit as he has just one year left on his contract.
“SunSport exclusively revealed that the Bees were initially ready to slash their asking price to just £30 million for Toney.
“But after new striker Igor Thiago picked up a knee injury that is set to rule him out until December, the club were having a re-think about selling their main man.
“A host of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for Toney - including Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham.
“Al-Ahli have supposedly had an interest since January.”
Lukaku-Osimhen deal hits snag
The Mirror describes the problems facing Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku’s futures at their respective clubs.
Chelsea are keen on signing Osimhen on loan, but the striker is not too interested, while Napoli will not meet their valuation of Lukaku, meaning both players are in limbo.
The paper explains: “Victor Osimhen has handed in a transfer request to try and accelerate his exit from Napoli this summer.
“Osimhen has long been touted for a big-money move away from the Italian club – and it looks as though that could finally come to pass. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have explored a deal for the Nigeria international, who has scored 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli.
“PSG had considered Osimhen a good replacement for Kylian Mbappe after his exit to Real Madrid, but now look set to stick with Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani. Chelsea want a striker after Nicolas Jackson endured a mixed debut season and have a bargaining chip in the form of Romelu Lukaku.
“Osimhen has a €130 million (£110.8m) release clause in his Napoli contract – and that has previously proved an effective barrier to his departure. But with Conte making it clear he doesn’t want Osimhen – and that he wants Lukaku as his replacement – it could prove a problem.
“Chelsea have previously explored the possibility of a swap for Osimhen and Lukaku, but Osimhen is reportedly not keen on moving to Stamford Bridge. The Blues value Lukaku at €35m (£29.8m) – a fee which Napoli are currently unwilling to pay, meaning there is an impasse with 20 days left in the summer transfer window.”
Fulham make first bid for Andersen
Fulham and Crystal Palace have a way to go to agree a deal for Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
The Athletic claims that Fulham have bid ÂŁ20 million for a player that is valued by his current club at twice that price.
The website states: “Fulham have submitted a £20 million offer for Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
“Palace are seeking a fee more in the region of £40m and talks between the clubs continue.
“Fulham are in the market to strengthen their centre-back options this summer following the departure of Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea.”
Leicester plot double swoop
Leicester have bid for Panathinaikos forward Fotis Ioannidis and are also hoping to land Galatasaray’s Wilfried Zaha.
Ipswich have shown interest in Ioannidis earlier in the window, while Crystal Palace are also interested in their former player Zaha.
The Telegraph reports: “Leicester City have made a £23.2 million bid for Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis and are continuing talks with Galatasaray over a possible deal for Wilfried Zaha.
“With just over a week until the club’s first game of the Premier League season, Leicester are moving to further boost their squad and submitted an offer worth €27 million (£23.2 million) for Ioannidis over the weekend.
“Ioannidis is a Greece international and it is understood Ipswich Town made a substantial offer for the 24-year-old earlier in the transfer window.
“Leicester are prioritising attacking players and believe Ioannidis, who scored 23 goals and provided nine assists for Panathinaikos in all competitions last season, can become a success in the Premier League.
“Zaha, the former Crystal Palace winger, is also on Leicester’s radar and negotiations are continuing over a possible loan deal. The structure of the deal is complicated, however, while there is also competition from Palace.”
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