Sources: Chelsea keeping track of Ivan Toney's progress

The Blues could press ahead with a January move

Chelsea have had a keen interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney for some time now, even before the new owners arrived.

Toney is still liked by the new regime and they even pondered a move for him in each of the last two transfer windows.

Of course, he then got his big ban for breaking gambling rules and has been suspended from playing football again until January. He is allowed to rejoin full training though, in September.

The 27-year-old was hit with the suspension and a £50,000 fine back in May after he accepted 232 breaches of the FA's rules on betting.

English football's governing body revealed they pushed for a 15-month ban but handed down a reduced punishment after taking into account the striker's guilty plea and evidence from a psychiatry expert who concluded he is an addict.

The FA report read: "The Commission had the benefit of a report from Dr Philip Hopley dated 2 February 2023 who also attended the hearing by video conference to answer questions.

"Dr Hopley had interviewed Mr Toney on two occasions and concluded in his report that Mr Toney has a clear history of gambling addiction.

"There is no need to set out the details of the report in these reasons. It was Dr Hopley's conclusion that Mr Toney needs professional help in respect of his addiction."

England manager Gareth Southgate was critical about the extent of the ban, and said the football community should do more to support Toney rather than ostracise him, particularly given he is not allowed to train with Brentford until mid-September.