Al Ahli Sign Ivan Toney After Victor Osimhen’s Dilly Dallying Pushed Them to Settle on the England International
England international Ivan Toney is now an Al Ahli player after signing for the Saudi Pro League side from Brentford. Al Ahli had agreed to a separate deal with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, but the Nigerian forward opted to take his time in accepting the deal as he waited for a late Chelsea bid that never came.
As the sun set on the European summer transfer window, Ivan Toney inked a four-year deal with Al Ahli. Brentford received £40 million from Al Ahli for the striker’s services, and he will earn £400,000 weekly at the club, which is 13 times more than he was earning at Brentford.
Al Ahli’s need for a striker was dire, so the club narrowed its choices down to two players: Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Both men had been excluded from their respective clubs’ squads with the understanding that they would be making the move this summer.
For Toney, 28, there was interest from top clubs in England, but it was not enough to place an official bid. With a year left on his contract, many European sides felt that Brentford’s asking price was too high. That left Al Ahli the clear favorites to acquire his signature, given their willingness to negotiate the asking price.
Osimhen, 26, was also keen on a move away from Napoli after a breakdown in his relationship with teammates and the club’s hierarchy. The Nigerian international attracted interest from both European and Saudi clubs, with Al Ahli being the most advanced. However, after agreeing personal terms with Al Ahli and Napoli accepting a bid, Osimhen opted to wait for Chelsea to match the bid in the hope that he could remain in Europe.
Al Ahli moved quickly to secure Toney’s services after seeing Osimhen’s lack of commitment and completed the signing before the European transfer deadline closed. Toney will make his debut in two weeks when the Saudi Pro League resumes after the international break.
On his part, Osimhen still has the chance to join a Saudi club that might be interested in his services. Having been excluded from Napoli’s Serie A squad list for the season, Osimhen will rely on the Saudi transfer window, which is still open for a few more days, to get a Saudi club to take him so he can play competitive football.
