Ivan Toney, the former Brentford striker, has made headlines with his sensational move to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
The 28-year-old English forward signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Saudi Pro League club, which will see him earn an astonishing basic salary of around £400,000 per week after tax.
However, with performance-related bonuses and add-ons, his weekly earnings could soar to the UK equivalent of £1 million.
Toney's transfer, finalized on the dramatic final day of the summer window, almost fell through as Al Ahli was simultaneously negotiating with Napoli for Victor Osimhen.
Ultimately, the deal with Brentford was secured just in time, allowing Toney to embark on this new chapter in his career. His move to Saudi Arabia makes him one of the highest-paid English players in the world, a significant leap from his previous earnings of less than £50,000 per week at Brentford.
The financial implications of Toney's contract are staggering. With a base salary of £400,000 per week, he would be earning approximately £57,000 per day, over £2,000 per hour, and about £40 per minute.
These figures have sparked considerable debate in England about the influence of petrodollars in modern football and whether such moves benefit players' careers or merely prioritize financial gain over competitive spirit.
Toney's first match for Al Ahli is set to be against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr following the international break.
He joins a roster that includes notable names like Roberto Firmino and Édouard Mendy. As the second English player to join the Saudi Pro League after Jordan Henderson, Toney's decision to leave the Premier League has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning the long-term impact on his career.
Despite the debate surrounding it, Toney's decision highlights the increasing pattern of top players being attracted to the Middle East with appealing contracts.
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