The major stumbling block to Ivan Toney’s Premier League return in January

Ivan Toney is unlikely to leave Al Ahli in January to return to the Premier League due to tax reasons, talkSPORT understands.

The former Brentford striker has been linked with a move back to the English top flight in a bid to make it into England’s World Cup squad.

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Toney made the move to the Saudi Pro League from Brentford for a £40million fee in 2024, and has been prolific in the time since.

The 29-year-old has scored 42 goals in 62 appearances in all competitions, and helped his side to win this year’s AFC Champions League.

This season, he has continued his fine goalscoring form, having netted 12 times in 18 games altogether.

Could Ivan Toney return to the Premier League?

With the World Cup just six months away, a move back to the Premier League could be a tempting prospect for Toney, as he looks to earn an England recall under Thomas Tuchel.

Since his move to Saudi, the striker has been named in the Three Lions squad just once, with Tuchel calling him up in May 2025.

Having been overlooked for selection in recent months, this could continue heading into next summer if Toney doesn’t secure a move back to English football.

And while Toney has been linked with a January switch to both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, talkSPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed this is unlikely to happen.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Jacobs said: “I’m getting the notion of a Saudi exit in January downplayed.

“We know that Tottenham, because of the Thomas Frank connection, and West Ham United are two clubs that certainly retain an interest in Ivan Toney if he becomes genuinely available.

“But Al Ahli don’t want to let him go, Toney continues to say he’s settled in Saudi Arabia.”

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Toney’s £14m dilemma

As well as being reluctant to leave Al Ahli, Toney would also have a huge tax bill to contend with if he were to return to England.

Following his £40m transfer last year, he penned a four-year deal worth £400,000 tax free.

However, in order to be considered a non-UK tax resident, the ex-Bees star must stay in Saudi Arabia until at least April 2026.

Having now earned an estimated £28m since joining Al Ahli, Toney would have to pay 50 per cent of this should he return before next year, meaning he would sacrifice £14m of his total earnings.

Explaining how this could impact Toney’s future decision making, Jacobs continued: “If he comes back to England specifically, he’s also going to have a massive tax bill as well.

“So, I think a January exit for Ivan Toney is unlikely, but let’s see what happens in the summer because by that stage, the tax implications are a little bit kinder.

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“Because the way it works is, you’ve basically got to stay for two tax years, so once Ivan Toney gets into April and into the new tax year, then he’s in a much kinder position if he wants to consider a move back to the Premier League.”

The latest news on Toney comes just days after news broke that he had been arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly headbutting a person in a London bar.

Footage obtained by The Sun, appears to show 29-year-old Toney being walked out of 100 Wardour St. in Soho by police, having become embroiled in an altercation after a fan allegedly grabbed him for a selfie.

Should he become available next summer, Toney would be an attractive prospect to a number of English sides.

He impressed in his previous top-flight stint with Brentford, scoring 36 goals in 83 Premier League games.

With all of these goals coming under current Tottenham boss Frank, this prompted speculation Toney could head to north London should he return to England.