While reports of a Premier League return for Ivan Toney have been played down in some quarters, there is one very obvious reason glaring everyone in the face as to why West Ham United may still have something to say.
And, who knows, perhaps the Hammers could be the ones who make Ivan Toney’s boyhood ‘dream’ come true.
A dream which slipped through his fingers back in 2022, and hangs by a thread three years on.
So although Hammers News were told back in October that the Brentford legend was in no rush to leave Saudi Arabia, his latest omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad may have made the reality of missing out on successive World Cups become that little bit more vivid in the mind.
Turning 30 in March, this is in all probability Toney’s last chance of representing his country at a World Cup. And, with reports suggesting that West Ham United are not giving up on a January deal without a fight, even a successful loan spell at the London Stadium may be enough to catapult Toney back into contention.
West Ham United-linked Ivan Toney is desperate to represent England at a World Cup
Speaking on the Kick Game YouTube channel back in 2023, Toney reflected on the pain of watching England reach the quarter-finals in Qatar from thousands of miles away.
“Even though I miss eight months of football, that was the biggest punishment, to miss out on a World Cup,” said Toney, whose omission coincided with an eight-month ban for breaching gambling rules.
“[That tournament is] everyone’s dream. It is bigger than missing eight months of football.”
If it was his off-field conduct which cost Toney a place when at the peak of his powers in Brentford red and white, it may be sporting reasons which keeps him out this time.
While Tuchel clearly had no issue picking Jordan Henderson during his brief stay in the Middle East, the England boss revealed in March that Toney had fallen behind the likes of Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke simply because of the difficulty of watching him play in the flesh, all the way over in Saudi Arabia.
If Toney was to return to England, even on a short-term basis, the sight of him banging in the goals back home with Tuchel in the stands could be enough to catapult him back towards the top of the pecking order.
After all, with Solanke injured, Liam Delap yet to make an impression at Chelsea and Watkins hardly firing at Aston Villa, it is not as if England are stacked with elite Harry Kane back-ups.
New reports claim Brentford icon Toney is now wants to leave Saudi Arabia
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reported a month ago that West Ham were working on the finances of a potential winter swoop.
In an update provided by TEAMtalk this week, it is alleged that Toney has now told Al-Ahli of his desire for a fresh start after 15 months, 59 games and 41 goals in the Saudi Pro League. If true, that would mark a dramatic U-turn from his stance back in October. Perhaps the possibility of missing another tournament has suddenly dawned on him.
He is reportedly willing to take a substantial pay cut in order to force through an exit. Though it is testament to the obscene sums changing hands in Saudi that, if he was to accept a 50 per cent reduction, Toney would still take home around £200,000-a-week.
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Toney reflects on his World Cup chances under Thomas Tuchel
TEAMtalk add that West Ham have ‘made checks’, but know this will not be an easy agreement to reach. But, by dangling that World Cup carrot, the Hammers could be the exorcist who dispels Toney’s ghosts of 2022.
“I have to concentrate on myself, give myself the best chance possible, and who knows?” Toney, who scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford in the 2022/23 season. told The Guardian in September.
“If I am selected, I will do my best for my country, but if not I’ll be cheering the boys on.”
“There have not been discussions with Thomas Tuchel. I don’t expect to have a conversation with him. I am sure he has other things to be concentrating on. My job is to do well. It is what it is. If you are good enough, you are good enough.
“It doesn’t matter where you are playing in the world. As long as you are doing the right things and scoring goals, then you give yourself a chance.”
Returning to the Premier League and firing West Ham up the table, Toney will know deep down, would certainly give his chances a timely leg-up.
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