Ivan Toney’s England recall set to propel his status to Saudi Arabia poster boy

England boss Thomas Tuchel gave Ivan Toney a call-up despite joining Saudi side Al Ahli and his decision has given the Middle East league a huge PR lift amid claims players only join them for the money

Ivan Toney is set to become a poster boy for the Saudi Pro League. Toney’s shock return to the England squad for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona and the friendly with Senegal at the City Ground is seen as a landmark moment for the Saudi dream of one day eclipsing the Premier League as the biggest domestic football competition in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the star attraction in the desert – and could now be joined by his Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes.

But Thomas Tuchel’s decision to bring Toney back into the Three Lions pack has given the Arab nation a massive PR lift as they look to clear themselves of the accusation that any player moving to Saudi is motivated by money.

It was thought that the 29-year-old striker had sacrificed his international career when he decided to cash in on a three-year contract with Al-Ahli worth a staggering £63million when he left Brentford in a £40million deal last summer.

Jordan Henderson was ruthlessly axed from Gareth Southgate ’s plans after chasing riches in the desert with Al-Ettifaq – and even a return to Europe with Ajax after just six months later did not prevent the midfielder from missing the cut for last summer’s Euros.

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New Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has no such concerns. The German recalled Henderson to his first squad – and now Toney is back in the fold after a productive first season in Saudi.

Tuchel’s first squad, named for the opening qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, included Dan Burn, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Marcus Rashford and Dominic Solanke as well as Henderson.

Ollie Watkins has now been added alongside Toney as the England boss looks for alternatives for skipper Harry Kane. Toney scored 28 goals in 42 games in all competitions as Al-Ahli lifted the Asian Champions League and was on target 23 times in 30 league games.

He is being touted for a possible return to the Prem, but that now appears unlikely following his return to the England set-up.

Toney won the last of his six caps when he came on as a substitute against Spain in the Euro 2024 final – and he will now be looking to add to his solitary international goal after being given the nod by Tuchel.

Al-Ahli now want Fernandes to join Toney at the club. Landing the Manchester United captain when manager Ruben Amorim has made it clear that Fernandes is key to his Old Trafford plans would represent another piece of astute business – even if it comes at the cost of a £100million transfer fee and wages of £650,000-a-week.

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