Saudi Pro League announces major rule change that could impact Ivan Toney transfer

A brand new rule change ahead of the upcoming season could massively impact Ivan Toney's chances of joining the Saudi Pro league.

Toney has been linked with a move away from Brentford after he was left out of the match day squad that faced Crystal Palace in the club's first Premier League game of the season.

Saudi club Al-Ahli have reportedly entered talks with the English striker, but any potential deal remains in the early stages as Toney is said to be demanding a salary of €20 million (£17 million).

However, one new rule change set to be introduced ahead of the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season will massively impact the likelihood of Toney joining the club this summer,

The new rules, which have been introduced for the start of the Saudi Pro League season on August 22, mean that the number of foreign players permitted per club will increase from eight to ten.

Alongside this change, squad sizes have been reduced from 30 to 25 players, meaning that nearly 50% of a Saudi Pro League squad can be made up of foreign players.

The increase to the number foreign players in the league could prove crucial to Toney, who has been linked to move to Al Ahli this summer.

Currently, Al Ahli has eight foreign players in their squad, which includes several former Premier League players such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy.

Under last season's rules, the Saudi club would be unable to bring the English striker to the club as they had reached the cap of foreign players.

Ivan Toney has scored 67 goals in 128 appearances for Brentford. (Image:Getty)

But, now that the rules have changed, Toney would be permitted to join the club if he can reach an agreement with them before the transfer window closes on August 30.

Speaking about Toney's future ahead of the match on Sunday, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: "A lot of things are going on with Ivan, especially with transfers, there's a lot of transfer interest.

Of course, Ivan is a top player, he has been fantastic for us for four years but we showed last season we can cope without him.

"Is it his last game? Who knows. There is interest, it's not close."