By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

8th Nov, 2023 | 4:00pm

Sources: Chelsea climb above Arsenal in Ivan Toney race

Chelsea are really keen to land Brentford striker Ivan Toney next year, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (7 November) that the Blues are set to go head-to-head with Tottenham, Arsenal and Man United for the 27-year-old’s signature in 2024.

It is believed Mauricio Pochettino’s free-spending side could have the upper hand in any potential race – with the Gunners not keen to pay over the odds for Toney if they feel the deal isn’t right.

There will likely be interest in the Brentford man in January – but a deal is believed to be hard to do with the Bees set to hold out for a fee of more than £70million.

Chelsea are keen to bring a new striker to the club in the coming months despite Nicolas Jackson scoring a hattrick in the 4-1 win over Spurs on Monday (6 November).

The Blues also have Christopher Nkunku to come back from a long-term injury layoff, but feel they need to bolster their forward options to mount a challenge at the top end of the Premier League.

Jackson, 22, has now managed six goals in 13 games for Chelsea but has missed a series of gilt-edged chances in the opening stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

Toney remains banned and cannot play competitive football until 16 January – but has returned to training with his Brentford teammates.

He hasn’t played a competitive game since his eight-month gambling rule breach ban came into effect in May.

The England international managed 21 goals and five assists in 35 games across all competitions last season – including a best-ever return of 20 strikes in the Premier League.

Toney, who has a stellar 93.5% record from the penalty spot, is under contract at Brentford until June 2025.

In other news, Chelsea wait in the wings to swoop for French sensation.