Ivan Toney’s only concern at the moment is the trophies.
However, the English striker can change his mind “very quickly,” which is why he doesn’t want to rule out a return to the Premier League.
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Toney has already won two silver medals following his £40million move from Brentford to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in August 2024.
The 29-year-old helped Al Ahli win the 2025 Saudi Super Cup as well as the 2024/25 Asian Champions League Elite, considered the most prestigious club competition in Asian football.
However, Toney is not happy with his trophy haul and claims he still has “unfinished business” in Saudi Arabia.
Why Toney won’t close the door on a return to the Premier League just yet
But whenever he decides his time in the Gulf state is up, don’t be surprised if Toney returns to the Premier League.
“I want to win titles,” Toney said.
“I want to leave a great legacy for myself, my children and my family.
“At the moment I’m settled. With me I can change my mind very quickly, so I’m taking it step by step.”
“Who knows what could happen. I would be open to it (a return to the Premier League).
“But like I said, I have unfinished business at the moment and I want to win a few trophies here first before I think about anything else.”
“Never say never, you never know what football will bring and what’s around the corner.”
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Toney may not have to wait long for his next trophy as Al Ahli are second in the Saudi Pro League with 56 points, just two points behind leaders Al Nassr.
The former Brentford star also leads the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with 23 goals, two more than Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
How close was Toney to a return to the Premier League in January?
In an alternate universe, Toney would not be involved in the Golden Boot negotiations as he has been linked with a surprise return to the Premier League in January.
The likes of West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur, then managed by Thomas Frank, Toney’s manager at Brentford, were credited with a stake.
However, a move to either club ultimately fell through as Toney stated he was happy at Al Ahli.
When asked by Bent if the rumors were true, Toney replied: “I never look at that stuff, that’s why I have an agent. I let my agent take care of the stuff.”
“When I focused on these things, my head wasn’t in the right position and I lost form.
“Yes, there were a few clubs that were interested in me. But I said I was happy here, I’m focused here and I still have unfinished business here.”
“My main focus was on playing football, playing well, having fun and scoring goals for my team.”
Toney: “No conversation” about England recall
Much of the speculation in January was fueled by Toney’s desire to be included in England’s World Cup squad.
The striker has been largely excluded from the Three Lions squad since his move to Saudi Arabia in 2024.
He has only played once under Thomas Tuchel, when he came on as a substitute in the final stages of a 3-1 friendly defeat against Senegal in May 2025. The German chose strikers who play in the best European leagues.
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Asked if he had any ambitions to get back into the England squad for the World Cup, he said: “Of course there will be attention.”
“But I can only control what I can control, which is trying to score goals and do well for my team here.”
“I’m sure goals will give me recognition and help me get close to the squad. But there are a lot of other great strikers and a lot of competition.”
“I am sure the coach will select the best possible team to give the country the best chance of winning something at the World Cup.”
Although Toney was hoping for a trip to the US, Canada and Mexico in the summer, he revealed he had not been in contact with Tuchel regarding this.
When asked if the two had spoken, he replied: “No, there was no conversation.”
“But I don’t expect that because he has so many other players to keep an eye on.”
“I’m sure he’s keeping an eye on me and seeing what I’m doing. I just need to focus on myself, keep my head down and keep scoring goals.”
“I’m sure it will come his way and it will give me a chance.”
“Like I said, I know what I can bring to a team and goals are part of my game. Hopefully that’s enough.”
Does Toney still watch the Premier League?
Although a return to the Premier League was not in the cards for Toney in January, he still keeps an eye on the performance of each team, particularly Brentford.
“I still watch the Premier League, I still watch Brentford, most games when I can, when I don’t travel,” Toney said.
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“When I have time to myself, I sit and watch football. There are some good teams in the Premier League at the moment.”
“Hopefully I’ll get back to it one day.”
Under Keith Andrews, who Toney briefly met at Brentford before moving to Al Ahli, the Bees are on a roll, finishing seventh in England’s top flight this season.
Brentford’s rise up the table is made all the more impressive given that they lost Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who contributed 39 league goals between them last season, to Manchester United and Newcastle respectively over the summer.
Since then, Igor Thiago has become Brentford’s top goalscorer and sits second in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot with 17 goals.
The Brazilian needs just four more goals to surpass Toney’s all-time best Premier League tally of 20.
Experience the second part of our exclusive interview with Toney on the Drive Show on Thursday, live from 4pm on The Pitch Prospect!