Tottenham is reported to have begun formal negotiations to sign Ivan Toney (29, Al Ahli).
British outlet CaughtOffside cited TeamTalk on the 21st (Korea time), saying Tottenham has already started preliminary talks with Toney's side for a January signing.
Tottenham has noted that Toney, who is playing in Saudi Arabia, strongly wants to return to the Premier League. Toney believes he needs to return to England to compete for a spot in the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup squad.
Toney is reported to have indicated he is willing to lower his weekly wage to return to the Premier League. Toney's weekly wage at Al Ahli is 400,000 pounds (about 770 million won), but he is prepared to voluntarily cut it to 200,000 pounds (about 380 million won).
Even if Toney's weekly wage is halved, it would still be higher than the 190,000 pounds (about 360 million won) that Son Heung-min (33, LAFC), who served as Tottenham's ace through last season, received.
Thomas Frank, his former manager at Brentford, is also reported to have expressed a positive view on signing Toney. Tottenham is deeply concerned this season by the clear lack of a reliable goalscorer.
Tottenham's frontline is lacking. Dominic Solanke is out of action with an ankle injury. Richarlison has failed to meet expectations amid repeated transfer rumors. Because of this, expectations for Toney, who has already been proven in the Premier League, are growing.
The problem is timing and money. Al Ahli, which has Toney under contract until 2028, maintains that a January transfer is not possible. Ultimately, it comes down to how attractive an offer Tottenham can make.
Additionally, Tottenham must consider the possibility that Toney's wage demands could clash with the club's internal salary structure, since he would require treatment close to Son Heung-min's top-level compensation.
Tottenham is not the only club that wants Toney. Chelsea is also interested in signing Toney. However, for Toney, Tottenham — where the competition for a starting spot is clearer — could be easier than Chelsea, which has already brought in two strikers.
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