Arsenal monitor Ivan Toney as Havertz leads line amid January striker search

A potential mid-season return to English football for England international Ivan Toney has emerged as Arsenal explore options to reinforce their central attack, with the London club monitoring the Al-Ahli striker ahead of the winter transfer window, according to TEAMtalk.

Toney, who completed a transfer to the Saudi Pro League side from Brentford in August 2024 for a reported fee of approximately £40 million, has maintained high scoring output in Jeddah. The forward has recorded eight goals in six league appearances for Al-Ahli this season. Before his move to the Middle East, Toney established a strong scoring record in English football. After moving to Brentford from Peterborough United in August 2020 for an initial £5 million fee, he scored 31 goals during the 2020–21 EFL Championship campaign, setting a then-single-season scoring record for the division and leading Brentford to Premier League promotion via the play-offs.

Arsenal’s pursuit of additional depth at number nine comes amid ongoing adjustments within manager Mikel Arteta’s forward line. Kai Havertz has established himself as the primary center-forward for the club this season, scoring two goals in his first three Premier League appearances. Havertz, who arrived at Arsenal from Chelsea in June 2023 in a £65 million transaction, initially played in advanced midfield roles before transitioning to a central attacking position late in the 2023–24 campaign. However, securing Toney’s services in January would require navigating financial and contractual adjustments, as the 30-year-old would likely need to accept a salary reduction to align with Arsenal’s wage structure. On Transfermarkt, Toney’s market valuation is listed at £17 million.

Al-Ahli, one of four Saudi Pro League clubs majority-owned by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) alongside Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad, acquired Toney to join a squad featuring former European-based players including Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Edouard Mendy. During the 2022–23 Premier League season, Toney scored 20 goals in 33 appearances, finishing third in the league’s golden boot race behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Whether the Saudi club would entertain mid-season negotiations for their primary goalscorer remains a key variable for any potential deal.

The club’s forward options were altered following the sale of Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus to FC Barcelona. Jesus had spent two seasons in North London after joining Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022 for £45 million. At the same time, Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has experienced reduced playing time after losing his spot in the starting eleven. Gyokeres joined Arsenal after a 2023–24 campaign at Sporting CP, where he scored 43 goals in 50 matches across all competitions following a €20 million move from Coventry City, winning the Portuguese Primeira Liga title and the Bola de Prata top-scorer award. Since arriving in England, Gyokeres has faced difficulties adapting to the physical intensity, tempo, and penalty-box movement required in the Premier League, leading Arteta to rely more consistently on Havertz while evaluating alternative forward targets.

Toney’s domestic performances earned him his senior debut for the England national team in March 2023, and he was later included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for UEFA Euro 2024, appearing as a substitute in the knockout rounds.