Spurs in the Rumor Mil: Iván Tony on the Brink of a Winter Loan from Al Ahli

Transfer Talk and Tony’s Status

German coach Matías Jaissle’s hopes with Al Ahli Saudi FC face a fresh test as Tottenham Hotspur reportedly entered negotiations with Iván Tony, seeking to bring him to the Spurs on loan during the upcoming winter transfer window. The rumor mill spices up an already competitive season in which Al Ahli aim to defend their continental hopes while juggling domestic duties.

Football365 reported that Thomas Frank, the Brentford boss, personally reached out to Tony to persuade him to move to Spurs on a loan basis. The source notes Tony is open to leaving the Al Ahli fortress for a new challenge, content with what he has delivered so far—two trophies with the club, including the AFC Champions League for Elite teams and the Saudi Super Cup.

The report adds that Tony appreciates the loan idea, preferring a short-term move to test himself in the English top flight again, especially given the context of his time with Al Ahli since 2024 and the championship pedigree he has contributed to the club so far.

Tony’s Impact, Contract, and Comparisons

London rumors also highlighted Chelsea’s strong interest in the 28-year-old, driven by a blend of physical power, tactical intelligence, and a knack for capitalizing on half chances, penalties, and set pieces—traits that could add immediate value to a squad chasing accolades in multiple competitions.

Iván Tony remains a key asset for Jaissle in Al Ahli’s lineup. His potential departure would deprive the team of a potent weapon, especially after Gabri Vega’s departure, which carves a broader risk to the team’s current title ambitions across Asia. Tony joined Al Ahli in the summer of 2024 from Brentford, with a contract that runs through 2028, and has appeared in 10 matches this season across all competitions, recording a goal and an assist so far.

In total, the English forward has featured 54 times for Al Ahli across all competitions, finding the back of the net 38 times and providing seven assists, underscoring his importance to the club’s attacking output and ambition for silverware this campaign.

High-octane declarations Iván Tony has also energized the discourse around the Saudi league’s standing on the global stage. In remarks attributed to him in The Guardian, he asserted that the Saudi league stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Premier League. “If Al Ahli played in the Premier League, we would perform at a high level and be near the top four,” he said, adding that it’s a league of high quality and not to be underestimated. He even cited examples of Saudi clubs proving themselves against European giants, saying the league has shown quality that should not be dismissed out of hand.

Administrative Shake-Up at Al Ahli

On the administrative front, Al Ahli announced the appointment of Portuguese executive Rui Pedro Baraz as Sporting Director, a move aimed at building a cohesive technical and administrative framework for the 2025-2026 season that aligns with fan expectations and the club’s sustainable sporting project.

Baraz expressed pride in joining Al Ahli and emphasized his intent to collaborate across departments to lay robust foundations for a future that is competitive domestically, continentally, and globally. The club also named Amir Tawfiq as Chief Executive Officer for the Commercial Division, tasked with growing revenues and strengthening strategic partnerships.

Amir Tawfiq brings extensive marketing experience, having previously served as the CEO of marketing for Al Ahly (Egypt) and delivering notable commercial gains. Additionally, Al Ahli appointed journalist Majed Ben Bashir Al-Fahmi as Official Spokesperson to unify communications with supporters and media during the coming phase. Al-Fahmi’s background spans print, radio, and TV, including a former stint as head of the club’s media center (2016-2017).

These successive appointments, announced within a short span, signal the club’s strategy to blend European know-how with national expertise and commercial and media talent to return Al Ahli to domestic dominance and a serious run in Asia’s premier competitions. Currently, Al Ahli sits seventh in the Saudi Pro League with eight points after four rounds, having opened with a win over Neom, followed by a goalless draw with Ettifaq, a 3-3 stalemate with Al Hilal in Jeddah’s classic clash, and a 2-0 victory over Al Hazem. The team sits second in the Elite Asia Cup standings with four points, trailing leaders Al Hilal, who have six.

Punchline time, because every transfer rumor deserves a mic drop: If rumors were bullets, this saga would have the Spurs needing a bigger gun. And if Tony ends up staying, Al Ahli might need a bigger trophy case—preferably one with an extra chair for the loan officer. And remember: football transfers are like my jokes—sometimes they land, sometimes they just get VAR’d into a sigh of relief.