Jaissle "wants to sign" Ivan Toney for Newcastle - Big claims from Saudi Arabia
Newcastle United have been linked with a potential move for former striker Ivan Toney, with a Saudi journalist claiming Matthias Jaissle is keen to reunite with the England international at St James’ Park.
The 30-year-old has been prolific since joining Al-Ahli from Brentford in 2024, but there are reasons to treat this latest transfer claim with caution.
Saudi journalist claims Jaissle wants Toney
According to Sport Witness, Saudi journalist Khalid Al-Shenaif has reported that Newcastle want to sign Toney, with Jaissle keen to bring his former Al-Ahli striker to Tyneside.
As relayed by Saudi outlet WinWin, the journalist reportedly said: "Jaissle definitely wants to sign him. If this happens, it will undoubtedly be a major crisis.”
The report makes clear that there are currently no negotiations between the two clubs and no agreement in place, with January and next summer both mentioned as possible windows for a potential move.
Toney knows Jaissle well, having worked under the German during their time together in Saudi Arabia. The striker has 86 goals and 19 assists in 107 appearances for Al-Ahli, including 72 goals under Jaissle.
The journalist’s concern is understandable from an Al-Ahli perspective, as Toney has been involved in 15 (13 goals and two assists) of the Saudi side's 27 league goals so far this season, highlighting his influence in attack.
For Newcastle, the appeal is obvious. Toney is Premier League-proven after an excellent spell at Brentford, where he scored 72 goals in 141 appearances, and he already knows the demands and expectations of playing under Jaissle, but we doubt it would be a simple deal to do.
Two sides to this story?
There are plenty of reasons why a Toney reunion could make sense for us.
Our lack of goals has been a concern this season, with William Osula, Yoane Wissa and Matias Fernandez-Pardo managing just two Premier League goals between them. Bringing in an experienced, proven goalscorer could make a major difference.
Toney may also feel he has unfinished business on Tyneside. He joined Newcastle as a teenager in 2015 but made just four senior appearances before leaving in 2018, having spent much of his time out on loan. A return would offer him the opportunity to make a much bigger impact at the club where his senior career began.
However, there is another side to this story. Is this the media putting two and two together, and is it a deal that's even possible for either club?
This is an easy link to make given Jaissle’s previous relationship with Toney, our current struggles in front of goal and the striker’s impressive record in Saudi Arabia. Not only that, he is 30 and would demand big wages, although some experience could go a long way to helping this young group.
There would also be questions around the logistics of any deal, given both Newcastle and Al-Ahli are majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). While that shared ownership could be a factor in discussions, it does not guarantee a straightforward transfer or mean either club would be willing to sanction a deal.
For now, this is one to watch rather than a transfer I'd expect to happen in the new year. The links to Jaissle are understandable, and our need for goals is clear, but we'll need more substantial reporting before treating a reunion as a realistic prospect.
