Brentford star Ivan Toney will have to make a decision on whether to bring the curtain down on his Gtech Community Stadium career in the coming hours as Al-Ahli have made it deadline day for him to give a final answer on whether he is prepared to head to the Saudi Pro League, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Bees have not been afraid to splash the cash during the summer window, with Sepp van den Berg becoming the latest recruit when he completed a £25million switch from Liverpool last week, but boss Thomas Frank is in serious danger of his seeing his attacking options decimated ahead of travelling to Colchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Toney has been left out of Brentford’s squad for their opening two Premier League fixtures of the season, due to ongoing speculation over his future, and it is becoming increasingly likely that he has made his final appearance for the west Londoners as he sets his sights on embarking on a fresh challenge.
Al-Ahli Put Pressure on Toney to Give Answer
Saudi Pro League side seeking final call from England international
It is deadline day for Toney as Al-Ahli have asked for a final answer on a potential move by the end of Monday, according to GMS sources, and negotiations involving Saudi Pro League vice-chairman Saad Al-Lazeez and sporting director Michael Emenalo have taken place in London as they aim to wrap up the deal.
The striker has entered the final 12 months of his Brentford contract, which allows him to pocket £20,000-per-week at the Gtech Community Stadium, and his suitors are aware that his current employers are desperate to avoid the possibility of seeing him walk away as a free agent at the end of the campaign.
GMS sources have been informed that Toney has already agreed to the terms on offer at Al-Ahli, but his desire to continue assessing his options instead of giving the move the green-light – along with Brentford’s determination to secure £50million – has resulted in the Middle Eastern outfit advancing on a deal for Napoli marksman Victor Osimhen at the same time.
| Ivan Toney’s statistical averages per 90 minutes during the 2023/24 domestic campaign compared to Victor Osimhen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ivan Toney | Victor Osimhen | |
| Percentage of aerial duels won | 47.0 | 44.0 |
| Shots | 3.17 | 3.86 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.42 | 2.45 |
| Shots on target | 1.30 | 1.64 |
| Goals | 0.25 | 0.68 |
| Assists | 0.12 | 0.14 |
| Statistics correct as of 26/08/2024 | ||
Although the Bees already secured a long-term replacement for the England international as they recruited Igor Thiago, he is in line to be on the treatment table for a number of months as he suffered a meniscus injury during a pre-season victory over AFC Wimbledon in July, leaving Frank with limited attacking options.
Al-Ahli have remained determined to reach an agreement for Toney in the aftermath of GMS revealing that a £35million verbal approach had been rejected by Brentford earlier this month, but they are unwilling to continue waiting for his signature and have other targets firmly on their radar.
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