'Little bit sad' - Ivan Toney given England warning after completing blockbuster Al-Ahli transfer

Toney swapped Brentford for Al-Ahli late last month, signing for £40 million ($53m) with £400,000-a-week wages until 2028. After not making interim England boss Lee Carsley's first international squad, former Arsenal and Three Lions forward Alan Smith believes the 28-year-old won't play for his country while he's out in the Middle East and that he may be a "little bit sad" how this has all panned out.

He said via The Mirror: “I would have thought that Ivan Toney’s England career is over now he’s moved to Saudi Arabia. It’s a difficult one. Obviously, the financial appeal of the move is massive. From that respect, it’s a brilliant move for him. As he was sat on the private jet bound for Saudi, I do think there will be a part of him that’s a little bit sad by how it has all panned out for him this summer. He’s signed his career away in many respects in his prime. It’s not like he’s 22 and can think ‘I’ll play a couple of years in Saudi and come back’. It does feel a little sad. You can never say never to these types of scenarios, and if he scores 40 goals this coming season, looks sharp, he might still be in the manager's thoughts.”

Toney - who was banned for eight months in May 2023 after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules - had been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal but in the end headed to Al-Ahli. Many onlookers have suggested it would be a shame for the former Peterborough United man to spend the prime years of his career in a less competitive league.

Al-Ahli, who sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League after two games, take on Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on Friday - in what could be Toney's league debut. If not, the ex-Bees striker could make his bow against Damac on September 20.