Ivan Toney has said he’d be open to a return to the Premier League, in comments that may well be of interest to Everton after transfer talks were held in late 2025.
Everton held talks with Toney last November, although the discussions were more exploratory.
January then rolled around and there were a few more links to Toney, as well as other strikers such as Troy Parrott and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Winter window now shut, what striker do you want signed in the summer for Everton? 💥
No excuses can be made when the window opens again 😫
Troy Parrott lined up for the Republic of Ireland. Ivan Toney playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Richarlison playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Credit: Getty Images/Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Yasser Bakhsh/Molly Darlington/Copa.
In the end though, Everton didn’t sign anyone, with faith being put in Thierno Barry and Beto.
For a lot of Evertonians, Toney is the absolutely ideal player to bring in this summer – and his latest comments are bound to give the Toffees some encouragement.
Ivan Toney shares Premier League return plans after previous Everton talks
Toney has been with Al-Ahli since 2024, joining them from Brentford.
So far, he’s scored 61 goals in 78 games for them, and the striker is soon to complete his second season at the club.
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When he made his move, Toney penned a four-year contract, so he’ll have two years left this summer.
Ivan Toney playing for England.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Could the striker move halfway through that contract. Toney isn’t ruling it out and a Premier League return seems to appeal.
He said in a chat with Darren Bent on talkSPORT: “There were some clubs interested in me (in January). But I said I’m happy here, I’m focused here. I’ve got unfinished business to do here.
“I’m settled at the moment. But with me, I can change my mind very quick! So I take it one step at a time. Obviously who knows what could happen, if I was to return to the Premier League I would be open to it.
“Like I said now, I’ve got unfinished business here and I want to be winning some trophies here first before I think of anything else. But you know, never say never, you never know what football brings and what’s round the corner.”
It was very interesting watching Toney speak about a potential return to the Premier League.
It almost felt as if he was talking about having unfinished business in Saudi because he has to, as he hasn’t been there long.
But that wry smile he gave when he spoke about how he’s quick to change his mind was telling. Toney also stated that he still watches the Premier League.
He probably is happy at the moment. He’s scoring a lot of goals and he’s being paid extremely well to do that.
Ivan Toney playing for Al-Ahli.
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
But the way he spoke about a potential return to the Premier League should encourage Everton to at least test the waters this summer.
Because he really would be a top signing, having shown previously with Brentford what he can do in the English top-flight.
Everton are crying out for a clinical striker, and Toney would be just that. And furthermore, he’d potentially be a good mentor for Barry.
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