Wolves are said to be ‘closing in’ on a sensational move to re-sign Matt Doherty.
The Republic of Ireland international left Molineux in 2020 to join Tottenham Hotspur for £15 million.
But it was not a good spell for the wing-back.
His form did briefly pick up under Antonio Conte, who changed Spurs’ system which suited Doherty.
But in January of this year, his contract was terminated. He then joined Atletico Madrid on a deal until the end of the season.
Doherty made just two appearances for the Spanish giants.
He’s now a free agent, and apparently Wolves are swooping to bring him back.
Matt Doherty set for Wolves return
TEAMtalk have boldly claimed today that Wolves are set to re-sign Doherty.
Apparently the player has spoken to a number of clubs since becoming a free agent again.
He is a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia, but Doherty is keen to make a move back to Wolves.
Julen Lopetegui has apparently given the move the green light.
It is stated that it has been Doherty’s priority to return to Molineux.
Supposedly, there is optimism than an agreement can soon be reached and his return can be officially announced.
Wolves were actually loosely linked with re-signing Doherty earlier this year.
Question marks over Matt Doherty’s suitability for Wolves
This is a huge claim from TEAMtalk and one that is going to divide Wolves fans right down the middle.
Doherty was very much a favourite during his first spell with the club. And he was certainly loved by Nuno Espirito Santo, who rarely played anyone else at right wing-back during his tenure. Indeed, Doherty made 142 appearances for Wolves under the ex-Molineux boss.
He helped the club reach the Premier League, and was superb operating as a right wing-back which allowed him to get forward and contribute in the final third.
But of course, Wanderers no longer use the system Doherty was so good in.
Wolves have been playing 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 for the past year now.
Full-back and wing-back are very different, and there would surely be question marks about Doherty playing in a back four. We saw the way he struggled to operate in Spurs’ system before Conte went there.
If there is truth in this then it’s absolutely fascinating.
Maybe Lopetegui feels Doherty is actually capable of playing in a four.
There’s no suggestion he’s about to revert back to a back three and wing-backs. If that were the case, he surely would have kept Conor Coady to play in the middle.