Ivan Toney’s Premier League loan move in jeopardy as eye-watering Al-Ahli salary revealed
Ivan Toney was eyeing a return to the Premier League in the January transfer window, although his eye-watering wage presents a major stumbling block.
Reports have claimed that Toney could leave Al-Ahli on loan to boost his chances of returning to the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Mick Brown told Football Insider on 12 November that Tottenham are accelerating a move for Ivan Toney after Randal Kolo Muani suffered an injury against Manchester United.
Everton have also shown an interest in Toney, with David Moyes seeing him as the ideal striker to fix their goalscoring problems, while West Ham are admirers of the 29-year-old.
But any chance of the Englishman returning to the top-flight could hinge on affording his wages, and that is why a move is now in jeopardy.
Ivan Toney earns almost £1m a week at Al-Ahli
Toney shocked the footballing world when he swapped the Premier League for Saudi Arabia, despite the likes of Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal all placing him on their radars.
The chance to earn mega-money was clearly a major factor that influenced his decision, and sadly, his eye-watering wage could impact any January move.
According to the Daily Mail, Toney signed a four-year contract at Al-Ahli in 2024 worth around £400,000 a week after tax, rising to £500,000 in add-ons and performance-related bonuses.
For a similar take-home pay in the UK, given taxes, Premier League clubs would need to pay him around £900,000 a week.
Financially committing to wages that high for six months isn’t worthwhile for most clubs, with Al-Ahli surely needing to pay a percentage if Toney is to complete a loan move.
It is also claimed that he would also face tax penalties in Saudi Arabia if he left within two years of arriving, which would have further implications for any salary package offered.
Toney will surely be upset if he doesn’t return to the Premier League
Toney, who turns 30 in March, ultimately wants to return to the England squad, and that is why a Premier League move was mooted.
| Premier League season | Appearances / Goals |
| 2021/22 | 33 / 12 |
| 2022/23 | 33 / 20 |
| 2023/24 | 17 / 4 |
But with Thomas Tuchel only picking players from Europe’s top five leagues, Toney’s salary could prevent him from fulfilling his ambition.
The Three Lions would love to have him on the bench as a back-up option at the 2026 World Cup, with Ollie Watkins and Danny Welbeck also fighting for that spot.
However, at this stage, Toney looks set to stay in Saudi Arabia and probably miss out on Tuchel’s squad next summer.