Several Premier League clubs had been linked with a move for the 28-year-old during the summer transfer window including Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.
According to The Independent, Arsenal had considered a move for Toney in the summer but the report claims that Arteta ‘didn’t feel the chemistry would be right with the group’ if the England international had joined.
Ivan Toney, newly signed to Al Ahli, arrives at Jeddah Airport on September 1, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ivan Toney joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in a £40m deal on deadline day
Speaking last month, former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew claimed that Toney’s agent was pushing for the striker to join Arsenal this summer.
‘Let me tell you. I know Toney’s agent personally and I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal. There you go, there’s a bit of insight,’ Pardew told talkSPORT.
‘I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy when I had a discussion.’
Meanwhile, Toney’s new teammates at Al-Ahli include former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendi.
The club finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, 31 points behind runaway champions Al-Hilal.
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