The January transfer window could be Ivan Toni’s last chance to return to the Premier League before the 2026 World Cup, and the Al Ahly striker is in exceptional form. The 29-year-old England international scored twice in his team’s first game of the year and found the back of the net again at the weekend. Tony scored the winning goal in Al Ahly’s match against Al Okdood in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. This was his ninth goal in 12 league games this season and his 17th in all competitions, helping the team finish the weekend in fourth place.
The former Brentford forward made a big-money move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024 and adapted quickly to his new surroundings, scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season. Despite his form, he has been largely ignored by the England squad, playing just two minutes for England since Thomas Tuchel took over in January 2025. A return to the Premier League could be Toni’s last resort to win Tuchel’s favor. Everton appear to be pricing in a move for the striker, who earns a high weekly wage in Saudi Arabia, but whether he will be reunited with former Brentford manager Thomas Frank at Tottenham remains a topic of discussion.
Sky Sports previously reported that Toney was open to a return to England to boost his chances of joining Tuchel’s World Cup squad, but Al Ahly are reportedly in no hurry to sell him. Any move needs to be the right one, but Spurs’ performances this season may convince the London club they need additional attacking options.
Frank’s team is short on players in attacking positions due to injuries to key players Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke. Solanke came off the bench against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, but has not started a game since May and may need time to regain his game form.
The Spurs’ offense has also been hurt by the loss of Mohamed Kudus to injury, and he is not expected to return until the spring. The sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35m has further eroded their standing, but Frank has hinted that they could be strengthened in the January transfer window.
“When you want to strengthen your team, I think there are obviously some positions that are more obvious than others, but we’re getting there,” Frank said. “If we can improve the team, the team will improve.”
English midfielder Conor Gallagher and Brazilian full-back Souza are both thought to be close to joining Spurs, but speculation continues over a possible reunion between Frank and Toney given their impressive link-up at Brentford. Toney has scored 36 goals in 83 Premier League games under Frank, including 20 goals in the 2022/23 season, third best in the league behind Erling Haaland and former Spurs star Harry Kane.
Despite admitting he was likely to leave the Brentford team he was then managing in February 2024, Frank spoke highly of Toney. “I don’t think there are many better strikers in the world right now than him,” he said. “He’s a really good striker in his football prime.”
