Everton and Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly face two stumbling blocks in the race to sign 29-year-old English international Ivan Toney from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Ivan Toney. The two Premier League clubs are eager to reinforce their offensive units by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. So, the 29-year-old Al-Ahli centre-forward has emerged as a target for them.
However, Everton and Tottenham face two obstacles in the race to sign the Englishman. Toney’s £400,000-a-week wages are prohibitive for the two Premier League clubs, and a winter move may not be ideal for the Al-Ahli striker, as regular game time will enable him to win a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How has Ivan Toney fared in the Saudi Pro League so far?
Ivan Toney has been exceptional since joining Al-Ahli from Brentford in a deal worth £40 million last year. The 29-year-old surprised many with his decision to move to the Saudi Pro League, having been among the finest strikers in the Premier League for several years. However, he immediately became a pivotal figure for the Middle Eastern outfit while pocketing £400,000 per week in wages.
Toney has been hot off the blocks in the 2025/26 season, amassing 11 goals and two assists in 17 appearances in all competitions. Meanwhile, the English striker’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the winter transfer window.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Everton may dip into the market for a striker in the winter transfer window, as Beto has not been consistent enough in the final third. With David Moyes eager to guide the Merseyside club to securing European qualification, they must sign a productive striker next year. So, Ivan Toney has emerged as a viable target for Everton.
As for Tottenham, Dominic Solanke has struggled to make his mark since completing a big-money move from Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Richarlison faces an uncertain future at the North London club, and Randal Kolo Muani has suffered a few fitness issues this term. So, Toney is an option worth considering for Tottenham. However, two obstacles have emerged in the race to sign the 29-year-old Englishman.
While recent reports have claimed Toney is ready to return to the Premier League, his £400,000-a-week wages are prohibitive for Everton and Tottenham. Additionally, the timing may not be suitable, as the English international wants regular game time to return to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.