Wolverhampton Wanderers among clubs interested in Matt Doherty?

Atletico Madrid defender Matt Doherty has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for former club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During the January transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur allowed the full-back to leave North London on a free transfer in order to sign for Atletico.

At the time, Diego Simeone's side had been struggling for consistency, and it appears likely that Doherty would be given regular game time at right-back or right wing-back.

Instead, the Republic of Ireland international has been restricted to just one 12-minute substitute outing, a result of a La Liga winning streak which has left Atletico just two points adrift of rivals Real Madrid in second position.

With the 31-year-old only possessing a contract until the end of the season, it appears highly likely that he will soon become a free agent.

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Having previously made 16 appearances for Spurs this season, Doherty's stock is still relatively high, and he will not be short of offers in the summer.

According to 90min, Wolves are giving consideration to trying to secure a reunion with their former player.

In August 2020, Wolves generated a reported £13.4m from the sale to Spurs for a player who had cost them just £75,000 in 2010, making the deal one of the most fulfilling in the club's history.

Although there was a feeling that the transfer to Spurs was the right deal for both club and player, Wolves have looked weaker at right-back since Doherty's departure and he has never been granted the same level of game time.

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Nelson Semedo has made 97 appearances since replacing Doherty, but the ex-Barcelona man has never justified his price-tag of in excess of £30m.

Jonny has been an alternative to the Portugal international, although the Spaniard has not rediscovered his previous strong form on the back of two serious knee injuries.

Signing Doherty would represent good business for Wolves after spending an alleged £73m in January, leaving a need to balance the books to some degree in the summer.

The report adds that Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United also hold an interest in taking advantage of Doherty's soon-to-be free agent status.