Leeds United are among the clubs linked with Ivan Toney ahead of the winter window. However, his transfer situation in Saudi Arabia has shifted.
Toney is believed to be keen on returning to the Premier League in January to boost his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
He is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, and clubs are expected to line up to sign the former Brentford striker in the January transfer window.
Leeds are among the clubs that have been weighing up an option to sign him. However, Toney’s situation has shifted with just weeks left for the January window to open.
Ivan Toney may not return to England amid Leeds United links
Toney has made the England squad just once since moving to Saudi Arabia, and is unlikely to get selected if he continues at Al-Ahli in the second half of the season.
He has remained more than prolific since Saudi Arabia. However, moving to the Premier League could rekindle hopes of making the World Cup squad.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| AFC Champions League | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| King’s Cup | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Saudi Super Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| FIFA Intercontinental Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 12 | 2 |
However, journalist Ben Jacobs has insisted that Al-Ahli do not want to lose him, and the forward is also settled in the Middle East.
He also stressed that a massive tax bill is likely to scupper any chances of the striker returning to England in the January transfer window.
Jacobs said on talkSPORT: “I’m getting the notion of a Saudi exit in January downplayed.
“We know that Tottenham, because of the Thomas Frank connection, and West Ham United are two clubs that certainly retain an interest in Ivan Toney if he becomes genuinely available.
“But Al Ahli don’t want to let him go, Toney continues to say he’s settled in Saudi Arabia.
“If he comes back to England specifically, he’s also going to have a massive tax bill as well.
“So, I think a January exit for Ivan Toney is unlikely, but let’s see what happens in the summer because by that stage, the tax implications are a little bit kinder.
“Because the way it works is, you’ve basically got to stay for two tax years, so once Ivan Toney gets into April and into the new tax year, then he’s in a much kinder position if he wants to consider a move back to the Premier League.”
Toney was always going to be too expensive for Leeds
A move for Toney was always going to be financially unrealistic for Leeds, given his massive wages in Saudi Arabia. He is on a salary worth up to £540,000 per week, including bonuses.
Toney definitely would have to agree to take a pay cut to join any of his Premier League suitors. However, even after a salary cut, his demands may have been too much.
The former Brentford striker would have been ideal for Leeds as he is a proven Premier League goalscorer who is still very much at the peak of his career.
However, it seems Toney will stay in Saudi Arabia, and Leeds will now look at more realistic options to reinforce their squad in January.
