Wayne Rooney blasts £40m ex-Manchester United transfer target for 'ruining' international career

Wayne Rooney believes Ivan Toney has ruined his chances of building on a promising start to his England career by moving to Saudi Arabia instead of remaining in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has been left out of both of Lee Carsley's England squads since sealing a lucrative £40m move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahil in August.

Toney, who was playing in League One as recently as 2020, was linked with moves to United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham following Brentford's promotion to the Premier League in 2021 as he scored 32 goals across two seasons in the top flight.

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But following Toney's move to the Middle East, Rooney has expressed his concern about who could replace Harry Kane as England's No.9 after the Bayern Munich man calls time on his illustrious international career.

"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know," Rooney told talkSPORT when asked who could succeed Kane. "Ivan Toney went [to Euro 2024], Ollie Watkins went, [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin’s been off it the last few years. So, that's up for grabs I think.

"Ivan Toney might have ruined his chances with his move [to Saudi Arabia]. So, you have Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson's had his injury issues.

"I don't think there's a standout player and this is when we're talking about young players. For young players, who are maybe in their U18s or U21s, they will look and think about the next two to four years. We've seen it happen with Kobbie Mainoo who came into the squad.

"You might be looking and thinking, 'I might be the next England no.9.' That should give you that desire and that drive to go and push for that."