Chelsea transfer priority revealed as Real Madrid deal eyed and striker price tag slashed

Mauricio Pochettino has a few days left on the training pitches at Cobham to prepare for Chelsea's clash against Everton. The Blues will welcome the Toffees to Stamford Bridge on Monday, April 15, evening as both sides look to climb the Premier League table.

Chelsea are currently ninth in the English top flight, but they're only five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United. The west London outfit also have a game in hand over the Red Devils, which could prove season-defining by the end of May.

As for Everton, they're sixteenth – even after another points deduction. In other news, the summer transfer window is just around the corner and the Blues continue to be heavily linked with some big names.

But, for now, it remains to be seen whether or not Todd Boehly will sanction another spending spree. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the biggest Chelsea stories on Friday, April 12.

Toney price tag slashed

Chelsea have been given a major boost to their hopes of signing Ivan Toney this summer. The 28-year-old striker has been heavily linked with an exit from the G-Tech Community Stadium for a while now as Brentford look to cash-in before his contract expires next year.

READ MORE: Arsenal win the title, Tottenham grab top four – Predict the final Premier League table

READ MORE: Premier League confirm huge change that will impact Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea and Arsenal are among numerous clubs keeping tabs on Toney. The report states that West Ham have also enquired about the England international.

It's said that Toney could cost between £30million and £40million – which is considerably less than the £100million that was previously mooted. With his deal set to expire at the end of next season, Brentford could be under pressure to sell before the January transfer window opens when clubs will be eligible to open pre-contract talks.

football.london says: "I'd love to see Chelsea sign Toney if he's going to be available for just £40m, though I wouldn't like to see the Blues spend a penny more. Nicolas Jackson has enjoyed a good debut campaign in the Premier League and I think he has lots more to offer."

Real Madrid deal eyed

Florent Malouda has encouraged Chelsea to sign Toni Kroos this summer. The 34-year-old midfielder currently sees his contract at Real Madrid expire at the end of the season, however Fabrizio Romano believes that he could be close to signing an extension at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I think a player like Real Madrid's Toni Kroos is the type of target that Chelsea should be looking to bring in this summer," Malouda told Gambling Zone. "He is an experienced player with a lot of pedigree. Chelsea need one or two players like Kroos.

"Players who have such a high football IQ that they can analyse every scenario on the pitch, take the right decisions and lead the team. This is the type of profile I would be looking to bring into the club over the summer.

"We need experienced, ambitious players who want to be part of a very exciting Chelsea project next year. There are a few experienced players who will be available this summer. It isn't necessarily about specific individuals, although Kroos would be an excellent signing, it's about finding the right profiles who raise standards on and off the pitch."

football.london says: "I agree with Malouda, although Kroos' arrival would hinge on two things. The departure of Pochettino, whose 'system' leans more so on covering large distances in midfield, and whether the Germany international would be satisfied playing deputy to Enzo Fernandez. If I was Kroos, I'd be doing whatever it takes to stay at Real Madrid!"

Chelsea academy star hailed

Eric Dier has hailed Jamal Musiala as the 'best talent' he's ever seen. Until the age of seven, the 21-year-old midfielder lived in Germany, winning numerous tournaments as a junior with TSV Lehnerz.

A few years later, Musiala's family relocated to the south coast of England – although not for footballing reasons – where he would continue his development. He quickly caught the eye of Chelsea, where he earned his stripes at Cobham training ground before deciding to return to his homeland and join Bayern Munich.

He hasn't looked back since, having established himself as one of Europe's top playmakers at the Allianz Arena. Speaking on the official Bayern Munich podcast, Dier said: "I knew about Jamal, but to see him up close and to play on the same team as him, he’s the best talent I’ve ever seen I think.

"What surprised me the most is his physicality. It surprised me how fast, how agile and how strong he is. Pair that with his technical ability, which as an offensive player is the icing, and his talent is undeniable."

football.london says: "I'd love to see Musiala return to Chelsea one day and it's a shame it never worked out for him in west London. The summer he left Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard began his first stint in the dugout and blooded the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori. What could have been, eh?"