Ivan Toney Might Come Back to Premier League From Saudi Arabia

England striker Ivan Toney, who plays for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, might come back to the Premier League. He wants to be picked for the England team for the World Cup. Playing in England could help him get noticed by the coach.
By Newsroom | Football, Transfer News |

Ivan Toney, the England striker who transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli in August 2024, is reportedly considering a return to the Premier League. This potential move comes as the striker aims to solidify his place in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup. While Toney has enjoyed a prolific spell in Saudi Arabia, scoring 30 goals in his first season and winning the Asian Champions League, concerns about his visibility to England manager Thomas Tuchel appear to be a significant factor. Several Premier League clubs have reportedly made enquiries about his availability, but any deal faces substantial financial hurdles.

Player's Stated Ambitions and Club Status

Ivan Toney has expressed a desire to return to the Premier League.

  • He has explicitly refused to rule out a Premier League return, even turning down January offers to stay in Saudi Arabia (Article 1).

  • Reports indicate he is targeting a January return to England to boost his chances of making the World Cup squad (Article 5, Article 7, Article 9).

  • Al Ahli has reportedly communicated that Toney is settled in Saudi Arabia and they do not wish to lose him in January (Article 6).

Premier League Interest and Transfer Dynamics

A number of English clubs are reportedly monitoring Ivan Toney's situation.

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  • Club Enquiries: Several Premier League clubs, including Everton and potentially Tottenham and West Ham, have initiated enquiries about Toney's availability (Article 4, Article 8, Article 6).

  • Al Ahli's Stance: Despite enquiries, Al Ahli is understood to be reluctant to sanction a January departure (Article 6).

  • Thomas Frank's Openness: There are suggestions that Thomas Frank, Toney's former manager at Brentford, might be open to re-signing him (Article 3).

Financial and Tax Implications of a Return

A move back to England presents significant financial considerations for Ivan Toney.

Toney leaves door open for PL return and reveals England World Cup hopes - 1

  • Tax Liability: Returning to play in England within two years of working in Saudi Arabia could trigger a substantial tax liability. One analysis suggests this could cost him approximately £14 million, potentially halving his accumulated wealth (Article 2).

  • Pay Cut Willingness: Toney is reportedly prepared to take a "huge pay cut" to facilitate a Premier League return and keep his World Cup dream alive (Article 5).

  • Wage Stumbling Block: Toney's current wages are noted as a potential impediment to any transfer agreement (Article 8).

England World Cup Aspirations

Ivan Toney's desire to return to the Premier League is closely linked to his international ambitions.

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  • Visibility to Manager: Playing in a top European league is seen as crucial for Toney to remain in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts for the World Cup squad (Article 2, Article 5, Article 8).

  • England's Striker Options: England currently faces a perceived striker dilemma behind captain Harry Kane, with a January return to the Premier League potentially elevating Toney's profile (Article 4, Article 8).

  • No Guarantees: It has been communicated to Toney that England manager Thomas Tuchel has not provided any assurances of a World Cup squad place regardless of his club situation (Article 6).

Performance in Saudi Arabia

Since his transfer, Ivan Toney has maintained a strong scoring record in Saudi Arabia.

  • Goal Scoring: He scored 30 goals in his debut season for Al Ahli and finished second to Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League golden boot race (Article 1).

  • Team Success: Toney was part of the Al Ahli side that won the Asian Champions League and the Saudi Super Cup (Article 1).

  • Overall Record: His record for Al Ahli stands at 41 goals in 59 matches (Article 4, Article 8).

Expert and Media Commentary

Various sources have weighed in on the implications of Toney's potential move.

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  • Financial Incentives vs. World Cup: The decision to return involves a significant financial aspect versus the potential for World Cup inclusion (Article 2).

  • "Big Conversation" Scenario: A conditional return, such as a guarantee from the manager about World Cup selection, would make the decision more compelling (Article 2).

  • Sticking with Al Ahli: One viewpoint suggests that Toney should remain at Al Ahli given the circumstances (Article 2).

Conclusion and Next Steps

Ivan Toney's situation presents a complex interplay of personal ambition, club reluctance, and significant financial implications. His desire to return to the Premier League appears primarily driven by a need to enhance his visibility for the England World Cup squad. However, Al Ahli's reported unwillingness to sell and the substantial tax considerations associated with a move back to England create considerable obstacles.

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  • Key Decision Point: The coming January transfer window will be critical in determining whether Toney pursues a return to England or remains with Al Ahli.

  • Managerial Input: Any concrete assurances or communication from England manager Thomas Tuchel regarding Toney's World Cup prospects could significantly influence the player's decision.

  • Financial Negotiations: The feasibility of any Premier League move will hinge on the ability of clubs to meet Toney's wage demands and his willingness to accept a reduced salary, alongside navigating the tax implications.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Ivan Toney want to return to the Premier League?
He wants to play more often and be seen by the England coach to have a better chance of playing in the World Cup.
Q: Is it easy for him to come back?
No, it is hard. His team in Saudi Arabia does not want him to leave. Also, coming back to England might cost him a lot of money in taxes.
Q: Will he take less money to come back?
Yes, reports say he is ready to earn much less money to return to England and help his World Cup hopes.