Tottenham have been interested in signing Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney in January.
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur has been criticised for poor attacking play these past couple of months. After a disastrous November, the Lilywhites’ back-to-back wins over Brentford (Premier League) and Slavia Praha (Champions League) indicate that the Danish boss might be close to resolving the issue.
This is why the club’s hierarchy are preparing to back Thomas Frank in the upcoming January transfer window. Given that Frank is yet to provide a timescale for Dominic Solanke’s return from injury and there has been a lack of presence up top since Harry Kane’s departure in 2023, the idea of adding a goalscorer seems quite obvious on paper.
Al-Ahli star Ivan Toney has emerged as a target for the Lilywhites. The centre-forward’s potential return to England continues generating headlines, with Tottenham among several clubs monitoring his situation at the Saudi Pro League club. Thomas Frank’s previous relationship with the England international could tip the scales in favour of a move to N17 in January, but a major deciding factor would be whether Ivan Toney accepts a significant wage cut to join the north London club.
In theory, the 29-year-old could return to the Premier League on loan and avoid tax implications, but recent developments may have landed a potential blow to Tottenham’s hopes of landing the player.
England boss Thomas Tuchel not impressed by Ivan Toney
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Toney did not impress England boss Thomas Tuchel during his previous training camp, and that could have huge implications for a possible return to the Premier League next month.
The ex-Brentford star was called up to the England squad by Tuchel in the summer when he featured against Senegal, but he has not been named in any squad since. It is believed that the German tactician was not quite impressed by what he witnessed from him. Keeping that in mind, the 29-year-old and his camp are not expecting him to be recalled by the national team ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The report adds that Toney’s only real motivation to return to England would rely heavily on his World Cup prospects, and going by his application last time out when he was in the squad, the chances are appearing slim. This makes it unlikely he would shed his eye-watering £400,000 per week wages at Al-Ahli to join an English top-flight club.
Tottenham must look elsewhere
The recent developments should come as a setback for Tottenham in their pursuit of Toney. Considering his current form at Al-Ahli, coupled with his previous harmonious working relationship with Frank and understanding of his system, Toney would have been a great fit at N17. Now that he is seemingly hesitant to move back to the Premier League, Spurs must switch their attention elsewhere.
Recent reports suggest the Lilywhites are interested in re-signing AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott. Since leaving Spurs in 2024, Parrott has impressed at AZ Alkmaar and for the Republic of Ireland. He was the prime reason why the Republic of Ireland managed to book a World Cup play-off spot in March.
Keeping Parrott’s development in mind, Tottenham are prepared to test AZ’s resolve with an offer worth around €35m.
