Ivan Toney wants to return to the Premier League in the January transfer window. He is keen to get into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, and believes playing in England in the second half of the season should get him into Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next summer.
Leeds have struggled for goals this season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who signed on a free transfer in the summer, has netted just once in the Premier League and has been guilty of missing several chances, which have cost the team points in a few games.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
The Whites have plans to sign a winger and an attacking midfielder. However, it seems clear that they need someone who will put away the chances inside the penalty box.
Daniel Farke would be delighted to sign a new goal scorer, and Leeds should get involved in the race to sign the former Brentford man, if he indeed wants to play in the Premier League in early 2026.
The finances make the Ivan Toney deal difficult for Leeds
Toney left Brentford to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli last year. The striker was in demand among several Premier League clubs, but he chose to move to Saudi.
However, he wants to play in the World Cup next year, and feels a good second half of the season in the Premier League could get him into the Three Lions squad.
Everton boss David Moyes has already spoken about the possibility of taking the striker to Merseyside, and several other Premier League clubs are likely to be interested.
However, any deal would have to make financial sense as Toney is on massive wages, and no club would agree to pay that figure.
The former Brentford striker is on a contract worth more than £527,000 per week, which would be unfeasible for any Premier League club wanting to sign him.
He is on a base salary of more than £422,000 per week, and the rest is based on bonuses and add-ons.
Can Leeds somehow afford him?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is said to be the highest-paid player in the Leeds United squad, according to Capology. He is on a contract worth up to £100,000 per week.
Toney earns more than five times that figure, and forget Leeds, most of his Premier League suitors would be unable to afford him in the winter window.
A deal would depend on either the striker agreeing to take a massive pay cut or Al-Ahli being prepared to subsidise his wages to let him return to England.
At this stage, a deal would likely happen if Al-Ahli agree to loan the striker out while covering a large portion of his wages for the second half of the season.
If Leeds somehow manage to work out an agreement, Toney would still likely be the highest-paid player in the Leeds squad for the second half of the season.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds get involved in the race to sign the striker, given the financial realities of the club and the PSR challenges they will likely face.
Related Topics