Ivan Toney told to make perfect Everton move in January amid ‘alarming’ situation
Ivan Toney could leave Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in favour of a move to Everton to benefit his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup for England.
Thierno Barry’s struggles in front of goal and Beto’s inconsistency has left Everton with the need to buy a new number nine.
Everton are interested in a new striker, and it’s no surprise that Toney could be set for a move back to the Premier League.
Toney’s emergence at Brentford under Thomas Frank earned him seven caps for England, but after moving to Saudi Arabia, he has not been under consideration by Thomas Tuchel for the most recent England squads.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Toney realistically needs to leave Saudi Arabia in January if he wants the chance of earning an unlikely spot in England’s squad.
Ivan Toney needs Everton move for England aspirations
Toney has been linked with a move to Everton, as well as West Ham and Tottenham, and the transfer would be hugely beneficial to both parties.
The 29-year-old is desperate to get himself in Tuchel’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, whilst the Toffees are on the hunt for a clinical striker.
Daily Mirror journalist Andy Dunn believes Toney’s lack of minutes in an England shirt isn’t fitting for a player of his calibre.
He wrote in Thursday’s print edition of the paper: “The Al-Ahli forward is 29 but has played less than three hours’ worth of international football.
“For a striker of Toney’s talent – and considering alternatives to Harry Kane have been thin on the ground – that is alarming.”
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2020-21 (Championship) | 53 | 33 | 10 |
| 2021-22 | 37 | 14 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | 35 | 21 | 5 |
| 2023-24 | 17 | 4 | 2 |
Dunn went on to describe Everton as a perfect fit for Toney, who is a proven goalscorer at this level. Since leaving Brentford in 2024, meanwhile, he has scored 41 times in 59 matches for Al-Ahli.
The England international has got everything that Everton need; skill, top-quality hold-up play, speed, and most importantly, a clinical nature in front of goal.
Should Toney move to L4, his alarming situation in Saudi Arabia would come to an end, and it would be the perfect opportunity to revive his career.
Beto may leave in January, and not only does it add credibility to the rumours surrounding Toney, but it would be a long time coming for a forward who has been detrimental to Everton in 2025-26.
Everton’s striker woes have cost them this season
Everton have had a positive start to the campaign all in all, but it could be so much better for the Toffees, who are suffering from the wasteful nature of both Beto and Barry.
Having joined the Toffees from Villarreal for a fee of £27million, a lot of faith has been placed in Barry to deliver key goals to the team, yet he is still waiting for his first in an Everton shirt.
Beto and Barry have one goal between them this season, and that simply isn’t enough for a team that is looking to finish in the top half of the table.
Both strikers have underperformed their expected goals (xG) by a combined total of 3.23, and with Everton three points off the fifth place, those missed opportunities have made a huge difference to their current position of 13th.
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