Ivan Toney, a key player for England in Euro 2024, has transferred from Brentford to Al Ahli, a Saudi Arabian club, for over 47 million euros. The move marks a new chapter for Toney, who leaves the Premier League after scoring 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford.
Ivan Toney, who played a key role in England's journey to the Euro 2024 final, has made a surprising move by leaving Brentford to join Al Ahli, a Saudi Arabian club. The transfer was officially announced early this morning, marking the end of Toney’s significant spell in the Premier League.
Al Ahli, a club that competes in the Saudi Pro League, is reported to have paid more than 47 million euros to Brentford, a team based in West London that has been a part of the English top flight since its promotion in 2021. This transfer fee reflects Toney's value and status as one of the most talented strikers in the Premier League. The 28-year-old forward was in the final year of his contract with Brentford, making him an attractive target for several clubs looking to bolster their attacking options.
The acquisition of Toney by Al Ahli is notable not only because of the player’s talent but also due to the competition for his signature. Chelsea, one of England’s top clubs, was reportedly interested in securing Toney’s services as well. However, Al Ahli, which is one of four clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, managed to outbid Chelsea and secure the striker. This move is part of a broader trend of Saudi Arabian clubs investing heavily in international talent, using the country’s vast oil wealth to attract top players from around the world.
Toney's move to Saudi Arabia comes after a highly successful spell at Brentford, where he quickly established himself as a prolific goal scorer. The England international, who has been capped six times, scored an impressive 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford. His goals were instrumental in helping the club achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2021, and he has continued to be a key player for the team in England's top division. Brentford’s manager, Thomas Frank, praised Toney's contributions, saying, “He scored more than one goal every two games, which is an incredible number.” Frank further added, “Ivan leaves as a legend of Brentford,” acknowledging the lasting impact Toney has made on the club.
In joining Al Ahli, Toney will become part of a star-studded lineup that already includes several high-profile players. Among his new teammates are Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, known for his time at Chelsea; Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, who made his name with Manchester City; and Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, a former Liverpool star. This collection of talent underscores Al Ahli’s ambition to compete not just domestically but also on the continental stage, as Saudi Arabian clubs aim to dominate Asian football and make their mark globally.
Al Ahli finished last season in third place in the Saudi Pro League, demonstrating strong performances but falling short of winning the title. They were beaten by Al Hilal, another club bolstered by Saudi investment, which includes prominent figures like Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus and midfielder Rúben Neves. Meanwhile, Al Nassr, the league's runner-up, features notable players like Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian midfielder Otávio, highlighting the competitive nature of the league, which has attracted several international stars in recent years.
Toney's move to Al Ahli is also significant in light of his recent suspension by the English Football Association. In May 2023, he was banned for eight months and fined 55,000 euros for breaching betting regulations, having placed bets on football matches between February 2017 and January 2021. This suspension has kept him out of competitive action, but the move to Saudi Arabia represents a fresh start and a chance to rebuild his career away from the spotlight of the Premier League.
For Al Ahli, acquiring Toney is a statement of intent, as they continue to build a team capable of challenging for titles in Saudi Arabia and beyond. For Toney, this transfer offers a new challenge and an opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing football landscape in the Middle East, where the influx of talent is reshaping the competitive balance and drawing global attention to the Saudi Pro League. As Toney prepares to embark on this new chapter, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to his new surroundings and whether he can continue his prolific goal-scoring form in a different footballing environment.
