In a development that has sent ripples through English football, reports suggest that Ivan Toney is eager for a dramatic short-term return to Brentford FC, the club where he rose to stardom. The 29-year-old striker, who departed West London in August 2024 for a £40 million move to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, is now said to be struggling with life in the Middle East and is eyeing a loan move back to familiar territory in January 2026.
For Brentford supporters, the news feels like a dream that might just come true. Toney is not only a club legend but also a symbol of the Bees’ rise from Championship hopefuls to an established Premier League side. His incredible 31-goal haul in the 2020/21 Championship season remains etched in memory, firing Brentford into the top flight for the very first time. Once there, he continued to shine, netting 36 goals across 83 Premier League appearances, including a stunning 20-goal campaign in 2022/23 that marked him as one of the league’s deadliest forwards.
In private, Toney has reportedly spoken warmly of his attachment to the club. “Brentford gave me everything,” he is said to have confided to close associates. “The fans, the atmosphere, the fight—it’s where I belong.” Those words alone have stirred emotion among Bees supporters who have long considered him one of their own.
Life at Al-Ahli, however, has been far less straightforward. Sources close to the striker suggest he has found adapting to life in Saudi Arabia difficult, both on and off the pitch. While the move was financially lucrative, cultural adjustments and limited opportunities on the field have left Toney restless. His early promise, which even saw him recalled to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel in May 2025, has fizzled out amid patchy form and inconsistency. For a player with ambitions of leading the line for England at future tournaments, a return to the intensity of the Premier League could be the perfect reset.
Brentford fans have already taken to social media in excitement, picturing Toney once again in the famous red-and-white stripes. “Ivan’s heart never left Brentford. Bring him home!” one fan posted on X, while another wrote: “This could be the turning point in our season. Imagine him back alongside Mbeumo and Wissa—it’s mouthwatering.”
Indeed, the prospect of reuniting with Thomas Frank’s high-pressing, energetic system is tantalising. Brentford, who have endured mixed fortunes since Toney’s departure, could benefit enormously from his leadership, goals, and hold-up play. His understanding with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa once formed one of the Premier League’s most underrated attacking trios, and fans are dreaming of seeing it again.
The major obstacle, however, remains Al-Ahli’s stance. While Toney may desire a six-month loan to revive his form and keep his England hopes alive, the Saudi club will have to be convinced. With Chelsea also reportedly monitoring his situation closely, the race for his signature could take unexpected twists. A move back to Brentford would likely depend on delicate negotiations and the striker’s willingness to push hard for the reunion.
Regardless of the uncertainty, one thing is clear: Toney’s bond with Brentford has never faded. The striker’s legacy at the Gtech Community Stadium is already secured, but a return could elevate him further into cult hero status. As the January transfer window looms, fans can’t help but dream.
Could the prodigal son return to lead Brentford once more? Could Toney rekindle the fire that made him one of the most feared forwards in English football? Only time will tell, but his heartfelt longing—“I miss Brentford!”—has given supporters hope that the story isn’t quite over.
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