In an unexpected summer move, Brentford sold their star striker for a £40m transfer fee, resulting in a colossal Ivan Toney Al-Ahli contract.
The 28-year-old England international had long been linked to England’s top clubs but has instead signed for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli on a huge wage.
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How did Ivan Toney end up at Al-Ahli?
As mentioned above, Toney was linked with a move to four of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ for the best part of a year.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal were all linked with a move for Toney, as they sought to solve their striking conundrums.
After his 2022/23 season, Toney’s stock was very high, having scored 20 and assisted four in 33 league appearances. Subsequently, he had an eight-month ban from football for gambling offences.
During Toney’s absence, there was much talk of the England international’s future, particularly with his Brentford contract expiring in 2025.
Upon his January return, Toney began with a bang, scoring four in five appearances. But he would fail to score after 17 February. Toney’s drop in form and age saw the clubs targeting him change their transfer strategy.
Tottenham signed red-hot Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke. Kai Havertz grew into an accomplished number nine at Arsenal. Manchester United opted for the younger, more malleable Joshua Zirkzee.
Chelsea made a late approach for Toney, but unsuccessfully pursued Victor Osimhen instead.
But with his heart set on a move away from Brentford, Toney decided to take the plunge on a move to Saudi Arabia.
What wages will Ivan Toney earn at Al-Ahli?
Toney will earn £400,000 per week after taxes, and a generous bonus scheme could see his wages increase to £500,000 per week.
This is an astonishing bump to his pay, having been on around £50,000 per week at Brentford.
However, despite this eightfold increase, Toney does not actually crack the top10 highest-paid Saudi Pro League players. Aymeric Laporte’s £408,000 weekly wages keep him out of the top 10.
Perhaps if Toney performs well at Al-Ahli, he can dream of coming close to the wages of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The former Real Madrid pair earn £3,300,000 and £1,700,000 weekly in Saudi Arabia.
He does, however, rank very highly among the England squad. Toney’s wages are only eclipsed by Harry Kane’s £406,000 per week at Bayern. He is paid considerably more than Jude Bellingham’s £340,000 and Bukayo Saka’s £300,000 per week.
Can Toney repay his mega contract?
On the pitch, Toney’s profile will complement those of his teammates. Former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino will be familiar with Toney’s style.
The England striker is superb at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, before attacking the box with a blend of bruising physicality and deft technique to finish.
Al-Ahli supporters will hope Toney’s arrival will be a substantial upgrade on incumbent number nine Firas Al-Bukairan and help close the 21-point gap to 2023/24 Pro League winners, Al-Hilal.
Off the pitch, signing a player wanted by English footballing royalty is already a major coup for the Al-Ahli brand, and the club will hope their star’s goals will propel their reputation to new heights in the global game.
Despite a lull in his performances at Brentford, Toney is a superb player, in the prime of his career with plenty left in the tank. There is a strong possibility that Al-Ahli’s £400,000 per week investment pays dividends.
