By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

8th Sep, 2023 | 1:00pm

Sources: Ivan Toney training ground reveal after Chelsea link

Ivan Toney returns to training with Brentford later this month amid widespread links with a move to Chelsea in January, sources have told Football Insider.

The 27-year-old is currently out of action until 17 September after being suspended from all football-related activity for eight months back in May.

He cannot play until 17 January, but Chelsea are nonetheless interested in bringing the England international to Stamford Bridge.

It is believed there was no chance of Toney moving during the summer window while the ban was ongoing, but a January move is a real possibility.

Despite signing Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku over the off-season, Chelsea are keen to add a prolific striker to their forward ranks.

Armando Broja, who is returning from a serious knee injury, remains an option for the Blues and has been praised heavily by manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Toney was banned by the FA after admitting 232 breaches of the organisation’s betting rules.

He was also fined £50,000.

Football Insider revealed last month (27 August) that Tottenham also have a strong interest in the banned Brentford striker.

Toney 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.

The former Peterborough striker, who earns a reported wage of £20,000-a-week, is out of contract in June 2025.

He is idolised at Brentford after helping the club to promotion to the Premier League with 33 strikes across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.

Toney also managed 14 goals and six assists across all competitions in the 2021-22 season – his first in the top flight.

In other news, Chelsea open preliminary talks over new deal worth initial £58m.