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Al-Ahli CONFIRM £40m signing of Ivan Toney

Al-Ahli have confirmed the shock £40million signing of Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

The Saudi Arabian club, who have until Monday to close their business, sparked life into transfer deadline day by making offers for both Toney and Chelsea target Victor Osimhen of Napoli - but can only sign one.

The question mark for Toney remained whether to take the lucrative three-year deal now to suit Brentford or wait until January when he could have greater options.

Arsenal were previously tempted by Toney's availability but later decided against pursuing a transfer as Brentford held out for a huge fee for the England international. 

Brentford later accepted the £40m bid made by the Saudi Pro League side as they recognise it is their best chance of making a profit on their star striker.

Toney was spotted arriving for his medical in London earlier in the day and that was later completed before the Saudi side confirmed the deal at 1am on Saturday.

It was a tense summer for Toney, who was keen to a departure from the Bees, where he spent the last four years after a transfer from Peterborough United.

The Red Devils faced competition from Stamford Bridge after it was revealed that Chelsea also showed interest in securing another deal before the transfer window deadline.

Despite criticism regarding the size of Chelsea's squad, Toney was not the only player they were considering.

Enzo Maresca's group was also looking to negotiate a one-year loan deal with an option to buy with Napoli for Victor Osimhen's transfer.

The contract of the centre-forward was set to expire in 2026, and Gli Azzurri planned to sell the player before the summer transfer window deadline in Italy, which closes on Friday evening.

Similar to Osimhen, Toney was not included in his team's last matchday squad of the season.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has admitted that Toney's future was uncertain in the remaining days of the summer transfer window 

Speaking on Toney's absence, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank admitted that the player's future was uncertain: 'He could be here after August 30 and he could not be here.

'Basically, everything is up in the air. I've said the whole time that if he's here I'm very happy, if he's not here then I'm happy on his behalf.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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1 month ago - Brentford are maintaining an asking price of £60m but Al-Ahli's next offer could land in the range of £45-£50m.
3 weeks ago - Al-Ahli - who, like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Newcastle, are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - finished third in last season's Saudi Pro League.
2 weeks ago - The development comes after Al-Ahli had previously shown interest in Napoli player Victor Osimhen and successfully sealed the deal to sign the 25-year-old.
1 month ago - SIMON JONES: Toney (left) had been set to leave the Bees this summer, but no deal has yet been agreed with Brentford and any other side with the start of the Premier League on the horizon.
2 weeks ago - Ivan Toney cut a hilariously awkward figure as supporter of his new club Al Ahli debuted a new chant in the striker's honour following his £40m move to the Saudi Pro League side.
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