Ivan Toney sends clear message to Thomas Frank amid Spurs’ struggles | Football | Sport
The January transfer window could offer one last opportunity for Ivan Toney to make a Premier League comeback before the World Cup 2026 and the Al-Ahli striker has been in exceptional form. The England international, 29, netted twice in his team’s first match since the turn of the year and found the back of the net again over the weekend. Toney scored the winner in Al-Ahli’s 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Okhdood on Saturday. It was his ninth goal in 12 league matches this season and his 17th in all competitions, helping his team finish the weekend in fourth place.
The ex-Brentford forward made a big-money move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024 and adapted swiftly to his new environment, scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season. Despite his form, he has largely been overlooked for the England squad, playing just two minutes for the national team since Thomas Tuchel took the reins as manager in January 2025. A return to the Premier League could be the way in which Toney makes a last-ditch attempt to get back into Tuchel’s favour. Everton appear to have been priced out of a move for the striker, who is earning a hefty weekly wage in Saudi Arabia, though a reunion with former Brentford manager Thomas Frank at Tottenham continues to be mooted.
Sky Sports previously reported that Toney is open to a return to England to enhance his chances of securing a place in Tuchel’s World Cup squad, although Al-Ahli are reportedly not in a hurry to sell. Any move would need to be the right one, but Spurs’ performance this season may persuade the London club that they need additional attacking options.
Injuries to key players Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke have left Frank’s squad thin on players in attacking positions. Despite making a return from the bench in the FA Cup clash against Aston Villa, Solanke hasn’t started a game since May and may need time to return to match-sharpness.
Spurs’ attacking line-up has also been hit by the loss of Mohammed Kudus due to injury, with his return not expected until spring. The sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for a reported £35million has further depleted their ranks, but Frank hinted at potential reinforcements in the January transfer window.
“I think, when you want to improve the squad, of course there are some positions that are maybe more obvious than others, but we are out there,” Frank said. “If we can improve the squad, we’ll improve the squad.”
England midfielder Conor Gallagher and Brazilian full-back Souza are both believed to be on the verge of joining Spurs, while speculation continues over a possible reunion between Frank and Toney, given their impressive link-up at Brentford. Toney netted 36 goals in 83 Premier League appearances under Frank, including a 20-goal haul in the 2022/23 season which was the third highest in the league behind Erling Haaland and former Spurs star Harry Kane.
Frank had high praise for Toney back in February 2024, even while acknowledging his likely departure from the Brentford side he managed at the time. “I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now,” he said. “He’s a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age.”
