Former Arsenal target unlikely to return to England
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 13.11.25. | 00:42
Al-Ahli striker is bound with a huge contract but also faces tax penalties if he leaves before June
There are the ones who didn’t like the experience in the desert and got back from Saudi Arabia as soon as possible (like Jordan Henderson) and there are the ones who adapted and have no problem staying (like Cristiano Ronaldo). And the vast majority are in there for the money, just like former Arsenal target Ivan Toney. Back in 2024, he was on Mikel Arteta’s list but the move never materialized and the potential England international moved to Saudi Arabia, signing a four year deal with Al Ahli. Now, the questions about his availability are back on the table, but according to the British press, not for long. The reason? Money.
Arsenal are definitely not the interested party, especially after signing a proper striker, younger than Ivan Toney, but there are other clubs out there, like Tottenham, who is now managed by his former boss Thomas Frank. Under his guidance, Toney blossomed, got the England call and eventually went to Saudi Arabia for a ton of money. And now that money is a big problem, in case he wants to come back. According to Daily Mail, there are two financial obstacles for Tottenham, but also other interested clubs like West Ham and Everton. The first one is his huge wage. When he left Brentford for 33.5 million pounds, he sound a contract which will get him him around 400,000 pounds a week after tax, rising to 500,000 a week with add-ons and performance bonuses. So, if a club from England would like to match those wages, given taxes, they would have to pay him around 900,000 pounds per week!
🚨🏴 A number of Premier League clubs are believed to have started enquiries about bringing Ivan Toney (29) back to England, reports @SkySportsNews. ✅ pic.twitter.com/dYvUbVc6ed
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 12, 2025
The other difficulty is Saudi Arabia’s own rule. If Toney was to leave the club with less than two years after arrival, he would face tax penalties in Saudi Arabia, which would have further implications for any salary package offered. So, in case a club wants to sign him in January, the player would have to take a big pay cut and Al Ahli would also like a transfer fee, as he is under contract. On top of that, he likes Saudi Arabia and constantly comparing Saudi league with the Premier League. Considering all the facts, it turns that June 2026 is more realistic date for any possible Toney transfer.
