Ivan Toney spotted cheering on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium just hours after his shock £40m move to Saudi Pro League Al-Ahli was announced

Ivan Toney has been spotted cheering on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium despite agreeing a £40m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

The former Bees striker was spotted in the stands watching his former teammates as they took on newly promoted Southampton.

Although Toney’s departure will be viewed as a heavy loss for Thomas Frank‘s side, they seemed to fair just fine without him as they stormed to a 3-1 victory against the Saints.

Toney who has not played for Brentford since head coach Frank admitted that the England international was receiving interest from various club was announced as an Al Ahli player in the early hours of this morning. 

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.

The 28-year-old cheered on his former club after his £40m move to Al-Ahli was confirmed

The England striker departs the Bees after four years to join the Saudi Pro League side

However only wanting to sign one, they decided in favour of the Premier League man. 

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

The question was quickly answered when Brentford later accepted the £40m bid made by the Saudi Pro League side as they recognised it was their best chance of making a profit on their star striker. 

Toney leaves the Bees with a remarkable record having scored a whopping 72 goals in 141 games, including 36 in their three seasons in England’s top-flight.

It was on the grounds of the Gtech Community stadium where he shun and dazzled his way into Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad beating off stiff competition.

The Saudi Pro League club identified both Toney and Victor Osimhen as key players to sign, however were only willing to sign one

The chose the England international as their man, announcing him this morning

He joined the Bees back in the summer of 2020 from Peterborough for an initial fee of around £5m plus add-ons and impressed from the off.

Scoring 31 goals in his maiden season with the then championship side to win them promotion back to the Premier League for the first time. 

Before Toney’s departure was confirmed, Thomas Frank addressed his talisman’s absence from Brentford’s team sheets.

Admitting 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.

‘Who knows, let’s see, let’s see what will happen.’