Everton know exactly what to do next as club chief confirms Ivan Toney transfer latest
Al Ahli’s director has denied reports that Everton target Ivan Toney is set to return to the Premier League in January.
The 29-year-old is said to be favouring a return to England in order to better his chances of being involved with England for the 2026 World Cup.
Thierno Barry’s struggles in front of goal and Beto’s inconsistency from close range has left Everton with the need to buy a new number nine.
However, news has emerged that Toney will not be leaving Al-Ahli in the coming weeks, as the club’s director has insisted he will remain in Saudi Arabia.
Ivan Toney’s Saudi Arabia exit ruled out by Al-Ahli director
Toney has been linked with a move to Everton, West Ham and Tottenham, and the transfer would be hugely beneficial to both parties.
However, the potential transfer has been completely ruled out by Al-Ahli director Rui Pedro Baz.
He said: “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.”
| 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 |
The 29-year-old’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.
It comes as a huge blow for the Toffees, who are sitting 13th in the Premier League table but could be much higher if they had a clinical striker in the team.
Toney would have been brilliant for Everton, and Moyes must now turn his attention to other strikers in the January transfer window.
And the Friedkin Group now at least know in advance not to waste any more time on Toney, with other targets now having to be pursued for January.
Since leaving Brentford in 2024, he has scored 41 times in 59 matches for Al-Ahli, and Everton’s other targets don’t possess his goalscoring pedigree.
- Read more: Everton backed to seal Kobbie Mainoo loan deal as Ruben Amorim bust-up speculated at Man United
Everton left with Joshua Zirkzee as main target
Everton are linked with a move for Joshua Zirkzee, with the Man United striker failing to get much game time under Ruben Amorim this season.
Having arrived in Manchester from Bologna in 2024, he has only scored seven goals in his 54 appearances for the Red Devils.
This is a significant downgrade from the potential move for Toney, and the Toffees supporters will undoubtedly be unsure if the Dutch forward has what it takes to be effective in the Premier League.
Moyes has two areas of the team he must desperately improve; striker and right-back, and fans will be going into January worried about potentially signing another disappointing forward.
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