Alan Pardew green-lights Ivan Toney transfer as Everton accountant to be heavily involved
Everton will face financial complications to sign Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney in the winter transfer window, Alan Pardew says.
The former Newcastle United manager expects the Toffees’ accountants will have to work their magic to get a deal over the line for the England international due to tax issues associated with his time in Saudi Arabia.
David Moyes has been an admirer of Toney, and the Scottish manager certainly needs a new centre-forward sooner rather than later.
Thierno Barry and Beto have struggled at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the number nine position an undoubted weak point in the Merseyside outfit’s team.
Ivan Toney would be great for Everton
Pardew believes Toney could be an influential signing for the Toffees or any other Premier League team, given the change in style of play of late.
English football has seen a resurgence of direct play, with set pieces and long throws making a comeback.
While the English manager expects the 29-year-old striker, who scored 36 Premier League goals at Brentford, to improve the Blues, it may be a complicated and costly transfer.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on 11 November, Pardew said: “Well, Toney, not only is he an asset in terms of his credentials and everything else, but now, the game is kind of developing into set play and long throws. Can you imagine, Toney, how influential he’ll be on those? He gives a lot of dimension to your team. I think he’d be a great signing.”
“I just think the accountant will have to do some work to get him over the line because the tax issues and everything else involved in bringing a player from Saudi Arabia are very complicated and costly.”
Toney, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Gabriel Jesus are the three players on the Merseyside outfit’s shortlist, but it remains to be seen who they’ll end up signing.
David Moyes to test Dan Friedkin ambition at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Moyes will surely want to get on a call with Dan Friedkin and demand a new number nine in the winter transfer window.
It’s undoubtedly embarrassing that Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye are among the top four goalscorers at Everton this season.
| Player | Matches played | Goals scored |
| Iliman Ndiaye | 13 | 4 |
| Beto | 13 | 2 |
| Idrissa Gueye | 11 | 2 |
| Michael Keane | 13 | 2 |
Apart from Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, none of the forward options at the Blues have lived up to expectations.
With a deal for Toney expected to cost a significant sum, Moyes may look to test The Friedkin Group’s ambition, as fans are frustrated by a relatively underwhelming start to the season.
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