Key Takeaways:
- Ivan Toney was arrested after reportedly headbutting a fan at a London bar, with video footage showing the striker being led away in handcuffs
- The former Premier League forward has scored 42 goals in 62 appearances since joining Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia for £40 million from Brentford in 2024
- Tottenham Hotspur are considering a January transfer for Toney, who is eyeing a Premier League comeback to bolster his prospects for Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad
Incident in London Bar
Ivan Toney, once a standout in the Premier League, has found himself at the centre of controversy following an incident in a fashionable London bar. Reports from The Sun state that Toney was arrested after an altercation in which he reportedly headbutted a fan who approached him for a selfie. The 29-year-old striker is alleged to have left the individual with “blood leaking from the bridge of his nose.” Dramatic footage captured the England international being escorted from the premises in handcuffs.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Ivan Toney has been arrested after an alleged headbutt at a London bar.
The striker was taken away in handcuffs.
— @TheSun pic.twitter.com/aoXRHvp4JD
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) December 8, 2025
Toney’s Career in Saudi Arabia
After his high-profile move from Brentford to Al-Ahli in 2024 for a transfer fee of £40 million, Toney has enjoyed a prolific spell in the Saudi Pro League. Since making the switch to the Middle East, he has found the net 42 times in 62 appearances, demonstrating his striking prowess.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Period | Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentford | 141 | 72 | 23 | 2020-2024 | 5 million |
| Al-Ahli | 62 | 42 | 8 | 2024-present | £40 million |
Transfer Prospects and International Ambitions
Despite his success in Saudi Arabia, reports indicate that Toney is eager to engineer a move back to the Premier League. The forward harbours ambitions of representing England at the 2026 World Cup and is keen to impress incoming manager Thomas Tuchel. Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be actively monitoring the striker, with a potential January bid as the North London club seeks to reinforce their attacking options.
From Northampton to the International Stage
The trajectory of Toney’s career has seen him rise from Northampton Town, where he began his professional journey, to a 2015 transfer to Newcastle United. Following a series of loan experiences at various League One clubs, he moved to Peterborough United before joining Brentford. While at the Bees, Toney delivered an outstanding record, scoring 72 goals and providing 23 assists in 141 matches across all competitions, according to Transfermarkt.
