Brentford are close to a big payday, as they agree a £40m Ivan Toney Al-Ahli transfer fee, despite strong interest from Chelsea.
The agreement should bring Toney’s transfer saga, which has rumbled on for around a year now, to an ultimate conclusion.
He will join fellow former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy at Al-Ahli.
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Why do Al-Ahli want Toney?
In the big picture, the growth of the Saudi Pro League is part of the Gulf state’s ambitious plans to become less dependent on oil for its wealth.
Through heavy investment, they hope to raise the standard of their league and create a financial and cultural powerhouse like England’s Premier League.
Toney is an England international, a player who has scored 36 Premier League goals, and has been of interest to many of England’s top clubs in the last year.
A player of his calibre coming to Saudi Arabia rather than staying in Europe is good for the league’s image.
For Al-Ahli themselves, they are desperate for a quality forward to lead their line.
While rivals boast the likes of Karim Benzema, Aleksandr Mitrovic and Cristiano Ronaldo up top, Al-Ahli had Firas Al-Buraikan as a striker. Toney would represent a serious upgrade on the Saudi international.
Ivan Toney Al-Ahli transfer fee: Is it a good deal?
Recent reports claim that Toney’s transfer fee is £40m, a substantial sum for a player with just a year left on his Brentford contract.
However, Saudi clubs are seemingly happy to pay premium fees for players, as sellers know their pockets are near bottomless. A £40m fee would only place Toney in eighth place in the most expensive Saudi signings rankings.
Brentford will be happy with a £40m fee, particularly given Toney’s lack of form when returning from his gambling ban last season and his contractual situation.
Why has no English club moved for Toney?
Despite being long-publicised as one of Chelsea’s transfer targets, and also linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, a move to a top Premier League club has not materialised for Toney.
Arsenal’s interest was strongest at the end of 2023, when they were struggling for goals. Since then, Kai Havertz has emerged as an accomplished number nine.
Tottenham moved for Dominic Solanke instead, and Manchester United’s strategy shifted to signing younger players.
Chelsea were the last club standing, with reports recently claiming the Blues had considered finally making a move in the final days of the window.
Perhaps the biggest dissuading factor, however, was Toney’s poor form after returning from a gambling ban that saw him miss much of last season for Brentford.
After returning with a bang, with four goals in his first five appearances, the 28-year-old’s form tanked, and he failed to score in any of his 12 subsequent Premier League appearances.
