Newcastle United latest news: Former Magpies striker Ivan Toney has teased a return to the Premier League.
Toney left England to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli in summer 2024 for a fee of £40m, ending his four-year stay at the Gtech Community Stadium. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Toney has been clinical in-front of goal and has scored 28 times in just 32 appearances in all competitions for his club this season.
On deadline day earlier this month, Sky Sports reported that Toney had rejected the chance to return to the Premier League during the winter transfer window. Two unnamed Premier League clubs had reportedly registered an interest in signing Toney during the window, with Juventus also reportedly among the clubs interested in his signature.
Toney may have opted to stay in Saudi Arabia for the remainder of this season, but the 29-year-old has not totally ruled out the possibility of returning to England: “Never say never,”
“I have goals I want to achieve here first, the club have signed me for a long period of time. I want to repay them and bring trophies. In football and life, you never know what's around the corner. Who knows what the next step is?
“I'm comfortable here and like being here. I'm doing well, my numbers speak for themselves and I'm settled. I'm enjoying my football and don't see why I'd leave to go back to where I was.”
Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans
Toney has long been linked with a return to St James’ Park and has often been touted as the solution to Newcastle United’s attacking issues. Having spent a number of years contracted to the club, without ever making a real impact in the first-team, many fans have often wondered about what kind of impact Toney would have had on Tyneside if he was given the opportunity to become a regular.
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The time for a return to Tyneside for Toney, though, has passed, and it’s likely that should Newcastle United look to strengthen their attacking options this summer, that they won’t be casting an eye in Toney’s direction. Having spent the best part of £125m on new strikers in the summer, it would seem a surprise to outsiders that a new striker could again be targeted this summer.
However, for those connected to the club, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them look to add a new striker to their ranks. Nick Woltemade has enjoyed a decent first season, but has never really looked like someone who can lead the line in the Premier League.
Yoane Wissa, meanwhile, has struggled to make an impact on a regular basis after picking up a knee injury just weeks into his time as a Magpies player. At the other end of the pitch, it’s likely that a new goalkeeper will be looked at and signed, whilst defensive reinforcements are also needed with a lack of depth in that area being highlighted during their recent injury crisis.
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