A step down or a step up for the Irishman?
The Saudi Arabian league has been making headlines non-stop since the summer transfer window opened.
From the likes of Karim Benzema to N’Golo Kante, some of the game’s biggest names have been migrating to the Middle Eastern state as the nation’s Public Investment Fund pumps billions into their domestic league.
Now, it appears that a Republic of Ireland international is one of the latest players set to join the league in which Cristiano Ronaldo plies his trade.
Doherty was sent off in Ireland’s drab 2-1 defeat away to Greece last Friday. (Credit: Sportsfile)The player in question is full back Matt Doherty, who is without a club following a disastrous six-month spell at La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
During his time in the Spanish capital, the 31-year-old failed to start a league game, making just two substitute appearances totalling 16 minutes.
Doherty endured a similarly disappointing first half of the season at Tottenham, where the Irishman fell out of favour with then head coach Antonio Conte.
Missing out on the Boys in Green’s fixture against minnows Gibraltar on Monday night following a farcical red card in the defeat to Greece, the defender’s club future for the upcoming season is up in the air.
Understand Saudi clubs are now in talks to sign Matt Doherty as free agent after 6 months deal at Atlético Madrid. ⚪️🇸🇦 #transfers
Negotiations are taking place with the former Spurs fullback. pic.twitter.com/55ziC126nJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2023
According to social media transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Doherty is attracting interest from a number of Saudi Arabian clubs, with talks already underway.
One possible destination for the Dublin man is Al-Ittihad, with the club managed by Doherty’s former manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese boss managed Doherty at both Wolves and Spurs in the past, and a third spell together appears quite likely if reports are to be believed.
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