It had been reported that several Premier League clubs had made enquiries over a loan move for former Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
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Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been dealt a fresh transfer blow in any potential pursuit of former Brentford striker Ivan Toney in January.
It had been touted that the 29-year-old was keen on a brief return to the Premier League from Saudi Arabia, with an eye on making it into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Both Spurs and Chelsea have had injury problems up front this season and Toney had been seen as a potential source of firepower over the second half of the campaign. The striker has 11 goals in 15 appearances for Al-Ahli this season and 36 Premier League goals to his name.
Tottenham and Chelsea handed Ivan Toney transfer blow
TeamTALK had named the London clubs as potential suitors with other reports claiming that West Ham and Everton could also be interested. Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that ‘a number of Premier League clubs’ had now ‘started enquiries’ with Al-Ahli over a loan move.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank worked with Toney when at Brentford - naming him a ‘top international’ thanks to his all-round abilities - and it felt as if that personal connection could push the north London outfit to be frontrunners. Frank continues to be without the injured Dominic Solanke while Richarlison struggles for form and loanee Randal Kolo Muani picked up a fresh injury problem against Manchester United.
However, in a fresh update from talkSPORT, it now appears that any Premier League club who have enquired may be chasing a dead end. The outlet claims that Saudi tax rules mean that Toney would have to take a massive financial hit to leave Al-Ahli on loan.
It’s added that sources close to the player have accepted that even a move to the Premier League may not guarantee him a spot in Tuchel’s Three Lions squad for the World Cup.
David Bentley: Spurs ‘perfect’ for Toney
Speaking on Sky Sports as news of Premier League enquiries broke, former Spurs man David Bentley suggested that a move to work with Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would be ‘perfect’ for Toney.
He said: “He’s a great player. Scoring goals in the Premier League is not easy and the way he plays the game, scores goals... he’s got to go to Tottenham, hasn’t he? Under Thomas Frank, he had a great time with him at Brentford and I’m sure they’re talking. I’m sure that’ll be the number one destination for him to go in at. Tottenham are struggling with centre forwards at the minute, Solanke is out injured and Richarlison is not at the level he needs to be. He could be Tottenham’s new signing on loan in January.
“He’ll want to go in at Tottenham. For him, to go play at the stadium with Thomas Frank, that’s the perfect destination for him. If he wants to get into the England team, it’s not about money, it’s about playing to get into that World Cup squad. The perfect environment is Tottenham. Tottenham could do with him and England as well - if anything happens with Kane, we’re struggling a little bit for centre forwards.”
In other news, Thomas Frank could turn to 'exceptional' Tottenham star with Mohammed Kudus set for AFCON absence.