Brentford's Reluctance and Toney's Saudi Switch
The Ivan Toney transfer saga has gone from a will-he-won't-he to a near certainty—just not in the way many Premier League fans expected. While noise grew around Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Tottenham as potential new homes for Brentford's star striker, none pulled the trigger. Why? It all comes down to two things: a stubborn price tag and an ambitious pitch from the Saudi Pro League.
Toney wasn't in Brentford's squad for their clash with Crystal Palace, but that wasn't due to fitness. The striker was sidelined because the transfer picture was moving fast behind the scenes. He was still training, but match day came without his name on the team sheet. Brentford manager Thomas Frank kept his cards close to his chest, admitting the club would only let Toney go for the right money and that the player himself wanted "a new challenge." Frank repeated what everyone in the room already knew: Toney's future was a coin toss as the transfer window neared its close.
Premier League Hesitation and Al-Ahli's Ambition
So why did local giants like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham step aside, letting Saudi club Al-Ahli swoop in? The answer is part business, part ambition. Brentford stuck to a high valuation—reportedly demanding upwards of £34 million. That's a big price for clubs already juggling wage bills, financial fair play rules, and their own summer targets. It quickly became clear that Brentford's expectation was steeper than what English clubs wanted to pay. Chelsea and Manchester United sniffed around, Arsenal’s need for a true number nine is no secret, and Tottenham have a post-Kane-sized hole. But when it came to paying Brentford’s asking price, all three blinked.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli saw an opportunity. The Saudi outfit, with deep pockets and a record of landing high-profile stars, was willing to meet Brentford on their terms. Early reports suggest Toney’s transfer, at £34 million, marks another statement signing for the Saudi league. For Toney, the move is more than financial; it represents a chance to write a new chapter outside the glare and grind of English football.
Toney’s preference for a move abroad made things easier for all sides. Instead of a drawn-out negotiation with Premier League rivals, Brentford could point to Saudi interest as leverage. Toney watched from the sidelines while teammates Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa stepped up in attack, scoring the goals that kept Brentford from sinking in his absence. Fans saw how much Brentford leaned on alternatives to get by as the transfer window drama played out.
The upshot? Brentford would rather keep Toney than sell short, but once Al-Ahli put their money on the table and the player nodded, resistance faded. Questions remain: Will Toney thrive in Saudi Arabia? How will Brentford fill the gap? And next transfer window, will Premier League clubs regret watching a prime Ivan Toney leave for a league thousands of miles away?
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