WEEK after Saudi Arabia transfer

Ivan Toney has made a significant move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, completing a £40 million transfer from Brentford on deadline day. This transfer comes after Brentford maintained a firm stance on their £50 million asking price, which deterred top Premier League clubs from pursuing the player, who is out of contract in a year. Toney's new deal is reported to be worth £84 million, significantly increasing his weekly wage from £36,000 to over £468,000. During his time at Brentford, Toney was a standout performer, scoring 20 goals in 33 Premier League matches in the 2022-23 season. His contributions helped the team gain promotion to the Premier League and earn him a call-up to the England national team. Toney's departure marks the end of a memorable chapter for both him and the club, as he expressed deep gratitude towards his teammates, manager Thomas Frank, and the fans in an emotional farewell statement. The move to Saudi Arabia also sees Toney join other notable players, including Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino, who are part of Al-Ahli's squad. This trend of high-profile players moving to the Middle East has raised questions about the future of football in Europe, as clubs face increasing competition for talent from wealthy clubs in Saudi Arabia. As Toney embarks on this new journey, the football community is left to ponder whether this decision was the right one for his career, considering the financial incentives and the potential impact on his international prospects.