Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle is reportedly pushing for the club to sign Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney in January. Reports in Saudi Arabia describe the forward, whom Jaissle previously managed, as a leading target as Newcastle look to strengthen up front in the winter window. According to Caughtoffside.com.
Jaissle eyes Al Ahli reunion with Toney to solve Newcastle’s striker issue
The link rests on familiarity. Ivan Toney played under Jaissle at Al Ahli before the German left to succeed Eddie Howe at St James’ Park this summer, and it now seems the manager wants to work with him again. The England international may also be tempted by the prospect of returning to the Premier League.
Toney is 30 and was a star performer for Brentford a few years ago, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs linked with him at the time. The financial pull of the Saudi Pro League ultimately won out, though a return to English football remains possible.
Newcastle’s need is plain. They sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool just over a year ago, and the replacement signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have failed to deliver. Woltemade is on loan at Juventus after struggling at the club, while Wissa has suffered numerous injury problems since joining.
The argument for Toney is that he would bring a known quantity to a position where the options have faltered. Jaissle has already worked with him, and the hope would be that he helps Newcastle find the net more regularly in the second half of the season.
