Chelsea join West Ham in race for Toni

Toni will leave Bayern in January (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea could hijack West Ham's attempts to lure Luca Toni to the Premier League it was reported today.

The Bayern Munich striker has been told he can leave in January after his relationship with boss Louis van Gaal was deemed unworkable.

Although the Italian would prefer a return to Serie A, he's been strongly linked with a move to West Ham ever since it became clear he would be allowed to move on.

Gianfranco Zola is desperate to boost his strike force with his team struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Yet reports today in Italy suggest Chelsea are showing signs of interest. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is eager to provide some cover for Didier Drogba during the Africa Cup of Nations and Toni could resolve the issue.

That he would simply be a short-term solution may concern the 32-year-old who is eager for first-team football to push his chances of a place in the Italy squad for the World Cup.