The striker has been out of sight and out of mind since he decided to make his living in the Saudi Arabian Pro League with Al Ahli, a move that has at least seen him rediscover his scoring touch.
Impressive figures at Al Ahli
Since joining the club in August 2024, the 29-year-old has gone on to bag a hugely impressive 28 goals and provide four assists in 37 league appearances.
Whilst the standard of opposition is acknowledged, it's fair to suggest that Toney had almost as good a record in England before his ban for betting issues.
Taking into account Brentford's spell in the Championship as well as their seasons in the English top-flight, Toney's 72 goals and 23 assists in 141 games for a one-in-two ratio isn't to be diminished.
Rumours now suggest that several Premier League clubs could be circling for Toney's signature in January; however, with a contract until 2028 and a reported basic weekly wage of £422,965 and a bonus of £104,954 for a total of £527,919, only the biggest English clubs are likely to go anywhere near him.
Whether a six-month loan deal could be negotiated isn't clear, though it's obvious why it would potentially suit all parties.
Loan move in January for Toney?
From a playing perspective, testing himself against the best that England has to offer is clearly going to up Toney's game again and make him sharper.
Assuming he makes a loan move rather than a permanent transfer, Al Ahli would be the beneficiaries, as they'd likely get back a player who has improved in most areas during his time away.
The player would also have a point to prove to Thomas Tuchel.
Given that there isn't really a like-for-like replacement for Harry Kane in the England squad, should he be injured or just too tired after another gruelling season, Toney would have genuine chances of getting on the plane to the USA if he fulfils his obligations in the top-flight.
It can't be overlooked that Kane will be 33 next summer and may not be able to play every minute of every game at the World Cup either.
Ideal deputy for Kane
Toney will almost certainly be willing to accept cursory minutes as he did in the last European Championship, where he was a valued member of the Three Lions squad.
For a player with such a decent record, it's just plain bad luck he's been around in the same era as Kane et al, as that's meant his total England appearances amount to just 108 minutes over three matches.
Frankly, that's a scandalous amount for a striker who has a sniper's eye for goal.
Where next... if anywhere?
Perhaps the other question to be asked is which club he could end up at?
Tottenham has been suggested as the perfect destination, even if the North Londoners are well stocked with front men at this stage.
That's because he could reignite his working relationship with Thomas Frank, the manager who got the most out of him during his career, and knows exactly what makes him tick.
After a disappointing season under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs need to get back to winning ways, and Toney could certainly thrive on the service available to him from the likes of Pedro Porro et al.
Having moved from the other side of the capital when joining Al Ahli, coming back to London and familiar surroundings would almost certainly be of benefit too.
David Moyes' Everton could also provide a new home for the 29-year-old, and perhaps being the focal point of the club's attack in the second half of the 2025/26 season in their new home might appeal.
Would Al Ahli scupper any move?
With a 57.1% shooting accuracy and 25% shot conversion rate this season, Toney has scored five of his side's 10 league goals already, evidencing a striker who hasn't lost any of his natural goalscoring ability.
He can literally do no more to put himself in the shop window, though it must be said that it doesn't appear that Toney is necessarily actively angling for a move away.
That's not to say he won't explore the possibilities early in the new year, but for now, the striker appears content to keep getting the goals to give his side the best chance of winning matches.
Along with Al Nassr and Al Hilal, Al Ahli are one of only three unbeaten teams in the division, and Toney has been a big part of that.
Could we even see his current employers put a spoke in any deal, given that they'll understand that without their main striker's goals, a potential league title will go out of the window?
These will all be considerations to be taken into account as the January window approaches, and Ivan Toney makes it clear where he sees his immediate future...
