Ivan Toney considering major wage drop to revive England prospects
A pivotal moment in Toney’s career
Ivan Toney’s future is becoming a talking point again, only months after the 28-year-old swapped Brentford for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
Sources cited by TEAMtalk say the forward is reassessing that decision, largely because he fears the level of competition he is currently facing may not be enough to keep him in the thoughts of England head coach Thomas Tuchel.
For a player who has spent years climbing his way up the English pyramid, from Newcastle’s academy to Peterborough, then onto a breakout spell at Brentford, the timing of his next move could prove critical.
Willingness to sacrifice income
Reports shared by DeadlineDayLive state that Toney is open to taking a wage cut of around 50% to facilitate a Premier League return. While the financial drop would be substantial, TEAMtalk notes that the striker appears prepared to prioritise his international ambitions over the lucrative contract he signed in Saudi Arabia.
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People close to the player, according to the same outlet, suggest he believes competing weekly against higher-calibre opposition would give him a stronger platform to push for a place in England’s World Cup squad.
England ambitions driving the decision
Toney has made it clear in previous interviews that representing England remains one of his biggest goals.
TEAMtalk reports that he views the upcoming months as decisive, because the national team staff are expected to step up their evaluations ahead of squad announcements early next year.
The striker has featured for England before, but competition for attacking spots has grown tougher.
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Players like Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, and emerging talents in the Premier League continue to strengthen their cases, meaning Toney cannot afford to fade from view during this World Cup cycle.
Premier League landscape and potential interest
While no club has submitted a formal approach, several Premier League sides are understood to be monitoring the situation.
Teams needing a proven striker, particularly those battling in the mid-table or searching for a second-half-of-season boost, are expected to explore the possibility once the January transfer window moves closer.
A return would also place Toney back into an environment where his style of play is already proven. His strong hold-up play, penalty accuracy, and ability to link attacks made him one of the league’s most effective forwards during his time at Brentford.
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A big decision
Leaving Al Ahli so soon would be a significant shift, given that his move to Saudi Arabia was initially seen as both a financial upgrade and an opportunity to reset after a turbulent period that included a long suspension.
Still, with the World Cup approaching, TEAMtalk suggests that Toney’s international ambitions may once again take priority.
Whether he stays in Saudi Arabia or pushes for a return to England, his next step is shaping up to be one of the most important decisions of his career.
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