West Ham Poised to Land Ivan Toney — Despite Past Friction with Nuno Espírito Santo
West Ham United appear to be positioning themselves as frontrunners in the race to sign the proven striker Ivan Toney — even though he once left the club’s current boss, Nuno Espírito Santo, visibly furious.
Why this deal is turning heads
Toney, 29, boasts a strong goalscoring record: before his move to Saudi Arabia side Al‑Ahli Saudi FC in 2024 he had 36 Premier League goals to his name and has since added a further 39 for Al-Ahli. (LondonWorld) According to recent reports, West Ham are “definitely” targeting him. (footballfancast.com)
For West Ham, who are currently struggling to find a reliable, dominant centre-forward, Toney would represent a major upgrade: his experience, physicality and goalscoring instinct tick many of the boxes that the board and manager have struggled to fill.
The awkward backstory
However, the signing would come with something of a subplot: during his time at Brentford FC, Toney scored a free-kick against Nuno’s former club Nottingham Forest F.C. – a goal that caused significant frustration from the then-Forest boss. Toney had apparently moved the ball slightly from the referee’s spot before curling the effort into the net; Nuno was unconvinced by the legality of the move. He fumed:
“That’s a new one on me.” (The Guardian)
Forest then wrote to the officials asking for clarity on whether the free-kick should have been allowed. (Sky Sports)
So the relationship between these two men hasn’t always been warm.
Why West Ham might still have the edge
Despite that history, several factors suggest West Ham may hold the advantage:
- Timing: Toney’s return from Saudi, plus his desire to re-establish himself in the Premier League and in England’s squad, suits a January window move. (footballfancast.com)
- Need: West Ham’s current attacking options are underperforming, so urgency means the club may act decisively.
- Fit: Toney is known for his physical presence, clever movement and scoring ability – qualities aligned with what West Ham’s recruitment team appear to prioritise.
- Willingness: Some sources suggest a loan or discounted deal might be possible given his Saudi contract, which could be attractive to West Ham. (footballfancast.com)
Potential challenges
Still, the path is not clear-cut:
- Financials: His wages in Saudi and potential loan fee could stretch West Ham’s budget.
- Manager-player dynamic: West Ham’s boss Nuno must reconcile his past grudge with Toney’s arrival, ensuring there’s no lingering mistrust or friction.
- Competition: Even if West Ham have the lead, they’ll likely face interest from other clubs looking to bolster their forward line.
- Fit and form: While Toney’s record is strong, adapting back to the Premier League after a stint abroad always carries risk, especially in a club fighting for consistency.
What it signals
If West Ham pull this off, it’ll send a bold signal: the club are no longer willing to settle for short-term stopgaps up front. Signing Toney would represent a move for a recognised quality and experience rather than just potential. It would also show they trust Nuno to manage tricky personalities — a necessary attribute given the challenges of the Premier League.
Conclusion
In short: West Ham appear to hold a clear advantage in the race to acquire Ivan Toney. They have the need, the structure and the timing on their side. The wrinkle of past hostility between Toney and Nuno adds spice — but may not derail the deal. What remains to be seen is whether the club can navigate the financial hurdles and ensure the fit works on and off the pitch. If they do, this could become one of their most decisive signings in recent window history.
