Everton are one of the Premier League clubs who would be keen to bring Ivan Toney back to England in January.
It is not going to be an easy deal for any party involved, with Toney facing strict technicalities in his contract with Saudi side Al-Ahli.
Everton News understands that Everton are looking to add another striker in January following an underwhelming start to the term from their current options.
David Moyes will have been encouraged with what he saw from Everton striker Thierno Barry at the weekend, but the Frenchman still came up short in front of goal.
The name which is being spoken about this week is Toney, with the Englishman’s time in Saudi Arabia coming under scrutiny ahead of the World Cup next year.
Speaking to Everton News, transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has provided the very latest on the 29-year-old’s future.
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Everton have held exploratory talks with Ivan Toney’s camp
Last week, Everton News reported that Everton scouts watched Franculino Dju in Europa League action against Celtic.
The search for a new striker is well underway and Everton chiefs have now held preliminary talks with Toney’s camp.
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In conversation with Everton News, Bailey has shared his understanding on the recent talks to take place ahead of January.
“He’s had talks with Everton. They were general inquiry type talks, they’re not locked down, it’s not advancing very far at this point,” Bailey told Everton News.
“There’s Tottenham, West Ham and a lot of other clubs involved. The question is whether Toney really wants to come back to the Premier League. That is one thing I’m told he’s not 100% convinced about.
“There is the tax issue which he would be liable to. There is a way around that in terms of you could loan him etc. But, from what I’m being told, the clubs are not entirely convinced that Ivan Toney wants to move and will move.”
“I’m told, from people close to the deal, it’s unlikely at this point that he’ll move back to England.”
Everton News columnist Alan Myers is fully expecting Everton to eye a new striker when the window opens for business.
However, a potential move for Toney is going to prove a difficult one to get over the line for a number of reasons.
Ivan Toney is not expected to make Premier League return
Former Premier League midfielder David Bentley expects Toney to sign for Tottenham Hotspur due to his links with Thomas Frank.
Having been left out of the latest England squad, Toney’s motivation for a return to England may have taken a real blow.
“Everton do like him and if he was on the market they would push for him, but that’s the main issue here for Everton; they don’t really think he’s going to come and they don’t think a deal will happen,” Bailey added.
Ivan Toney stats infographic from 2025/26 season with Al-Ahli.
Credit: Getty Images/Clicks Images
“So, let’s see if in the coming two months he gets word via Thomas Tuchel’s people and the coaching staff that if you come back to Everton, Tottenham, West Ham, wherever and you perform, you could go to America for the World Cup.
“If that’s the case, I think there is a realm where this could happen, but as it stands now, I think it would need that for him to consider it.”
Toney has netted 11 goals in 15 appearances for Al-Ahli across all competitions this season, but that has not proven enough for Thomas Tuchel to consider him.
An interesting couple of months lie ahead for the 29-year-old and his future.