Al-Ahil forward Ivan Toney will not be making a return to England in January, according to his club’s director.
Toney had been tipped to make a Premier League return in the New Year, with a number of clubs reportedly interested.
Indeed, Everton had been rumoured to be looking at the former Brentford player, as had Manchester United and Spurs.
With the transfer window quickly approaching, the number of potential transfer targets increases by the week.
Everton’s limited options in the string department are no secret, and have been linked with countless forwards.
However, it seems Ivan Toney will not be heading to Hill Dickinson in the January transfer window.
Al-Ahli club director Rui Pedro Baz said of the England international: “Ivan Toney is a top player, a top striker.
“The rumours around his possible exit in January are not based on reality. It’s just not true. We’re counting on him, it makes zero sense to address this subject in November.”
EVERTON NEED A STRIKER, BUT TONEY IS A NON-STARTER
That seems to fairly conclusively end any speculation that the 29-year-old will be departing the Saudi Pro League.
There’s no doubting Toney’s quality, and his goalscoring prowess would transform our forward line.
However, any player who jumps ship to the Saudi Pro League at the peak of his powers probably isn’t worth investing in.
No doubt he will want to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next summer’s World Cup, and was recalled by the England boss in June.
However, he’s been on the fringes of the England set up since his switch to Saudi Arabia.
A return to the Premier League in January would make sense, even on loan until the end of the season.
Whether he stays at Ali-Ahli or not, Everton are better focusing their attention elsewhere.
