Tottenham’s Pursuit of Ivan Toney Faces Challenges Amid Injury Concerns

Dominic Solanke is currently recovering from a persistent ankle injury, and Randal Kolo Muani has been ruled out due to a fractured jaw. Consequently, Tottenham Hotspur finds itself in urgent need of a reliable goal scorer. Frank, who previously developed Toney into a top-tier striker during his tenure at Brentford, continues to hold Toney in high esteem. This belief has transformed Toney from a Championship talent into an England international.

However, Tottenham’s aspirations to acquire Toney during the January transfer window may encounter significant obstacles, as reported by talkSPORT. The management at Al-Ahli is determined to retain their star player, particularly following his impressive start to the Saudi Pro League season, where he has netted 11 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions. His growing influence within the team is undeniable. Additionally, the financial implications of a transfer are considerable, as Saudi tax laws would require Toney to forfeit a substantial portion of his earnings should he return to England.

David Bentley, a former Tottenham player remembered for his stunning goal against Arsenal in 2008, believes a transfer to Spurs could materialize. “He’ll want to go to Tottenham,” Bentley stated on Sky Sports. “For him, playing in that stadium under Thomas Frank would be the ideal scenario. If he aspires to secure a spot on the England team, it’s less about financial gain and more about playing time to qualify for the World Cup. Tottenham is the perfect environment for him. They could certainly benefit from his presence, especially if anything were to happen to [Harry] Kane, as we currently lack depth in the center forward position.”

Bentley emphasized that Toney possesses the qualities necessary to succeed in the Premier League. “He’s a tremendous player. Scoring goals in the Premier League is challenging, but his style of play and goal-scoring ability make him a natural fit for Tottenham. His previous success with Thomas Frank at Brentford suggests that this could be his top destination. Given Tottenham’s current struggles with center forwards, especially with Solanke injured and Richarlison not performing at his peak, Toney could become a crucial signing for them in January.”

Toney’s eagerness to return to the Premier League extends beyond club ambitions; he is also keen to solidify his position in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Following his debut in 2023, he scored his first international goal against Belgium in 2024 and participated in England’s Euro 2024 squad. During the tournament, he assisted Harry Kane’s extra-time goal against Slovakia in the Round of 16 and successfully converted a penalty in the shootout victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals. However, since relocating to Saudi Arabia, Toney has seen his standing within the national team diminish.

Despite his strong performances abroad, England manager Thomas Tuchel has excluded Toney from the last three national team camps. Limited playing time during previous call-ups, including a mere 88th-minute appearance in a 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal, has compounded his difficulties. This representation was his only appearance in a Three Lions shirt in 2025. Furthermore, Toney’s representatives are concerned that even if he returns to the Premier League, breaking into Tuchel’s squad may prove difficult due to the intense competition for places, as noted by talkSPORT.

Tottenham is not the only club interested in Toney’s situation; Everton is reportedly keeping an eye on the matter, while Manchester United has also been loosely linked to the striker. As reported by journalist Ben Jacobs on talkSPORT, “Regarding Premier League interest, there have been connections to Tottenham, particularly due to the Thomas Frank link. However, I’m not aware of any formal approach from Spurs at this time. There have also been suggestions of Manchester United’s interest; yet they seem to be focusing on Benjamin Sesko and have Matheus Cunha available for the No. 9 role. Nonetheless, if Joshua Zirkzee were to depart, there could be an opening for another striker at Old Trafford.”