Leeds United have been linked with Ivan Toney for weeks, but the situation has now taken a major turn. With the January transfer window getting closer, many fans were hoping the club might try for a shock deal.
But Ivan Toney latest news shows that things are not going the way Leeds wanted.
The striker has been keen on returning to the Premier League, mainly to boost his chances of getting back into the England squad for the World Cup.
But now, new information suggests that a move in the Premier League January transfer window is unlikely.
Below is the full breakdown of the January transfer news and what it means for Leeds United.
Saudi Club Blocks Toney’s Exit
Fresh reports claim that Al-Ahli, Toney’s club in Saudi Arabia, have no plans to let him leave this winter.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has explained that the club want him to stay, and the player himself is said to be settled in the Middle East.
This is a big shock because there were strong signs that Toney wanted to come back to England.
He knows that staying in Saudi Arabia makes it much harder to get selected for England again, even though he has been scoring goals regularly.
But the Ivan Toney news takes another twist. There is also a huge tax problem involved.
If Toney comes back to England before he completes two full tax years abroad, he will face a massive tax bill.
This could cost him millions. Because of that, Jacobs believes a move in January is very unlikely.
Jacobs said that clubs like Tottenham and West Ham are interested, but even they might not go for him in the winter.
His wages, his tax issue, and his club’s stance make everything too complicated right now.
Why Toney Was Always Hard for Leeds to Sign
Leeds United fans were excited by the rumours, but the truth is that signing Ivan Toney was always going to be very tough.
The striker earns around £540,000 per week in Saudi Arabia with bonuses included. That is miles above the Leeds wage structure.
Even if Toney took a pay cut, he would still be too expensive for most Premier League sides, let alone a Championship club like Leeds.
His transfer fee would also be extremely high.
Yes, he would have been perfect for the team. Toney is a proven Premier League striker, still at the peak of his career, and a natural goalscorer.
He would instantly improve any club in England. But the financial side was always the biggest problem.
Now with the Ivan Toney latest news, the chance is almost zero.
Leeds Must Now Look at Realistic Options
With Toney expected to stay in Saudi Arabia until at least the summer, Leeds United now need to focus on more realistic signings for the January transfer window.
The club know they need extra firepower, especially if they want to push for promotion.
The good thing is that the Premier League January transfer window often creates late opportunities.
Clubs let players leave on loan, fringe strikers become available, and new targets appear out of nowhere. Leeds must stay sharp because the market will move very fast.
Fans will hope that the board already have backup names ready. A goal scorer is still the biggest need for the club.
Ivan Toney latest news is a big blow for Leeds United, as the striker’s return to England looks almost impossible in the Premier League January transfer window.
His tax issues, Saudi club stance, and huge wages make any January move unlikely.
Leeds must now focus on new targets as the January transfer news continues to develop.
While Toney would have been a dream signing, the club will need to find more realistic and affordable options to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season.
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