Ex-Wolves striker Steve Bull has backed his former club to reunite with Spurs right-back Matt Doherty.
The right-sided wing-back made a sensational switch from Wolverhampton to north London for a reported fee of £16 million, but the 29-year-old has since only featured in 39% of Jose Mourinho’s starting XIs this season.
Reports in Football Insider have subsequently linked Wolves with a potential move to re-sign their former stalwart for a cut-price fee.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Bull backed the Wanderers to re-sign the Republic of Ireland international: “Bringing him back on loan could be a possibility for Wolves. I could see them doing that.
“I just can’t see Wolves selling him and then wanting to bring him back again a year later, but you never know – he could come back on loan and we might see him in pre-season.”
With Doherty seemingly losing the trust of his manager to hold down the right-back spot, a cheap move could make sense for all parties.
Even when Doherty, who is valued at £16.2 million (as per Transfermarkt), has starred for Spurs, he has produced some excellent individual records that exhibit his true capabilities.
Compared to players in his position in Europe’s major leagues, Doherty is in the top 1% for aerials won (3.6 per 90) and the top 25% for clearances, averaging 3.06 per 90 minutes.
Wolves did sign Nelson Semedo to replace Doherty from Barcelona, but Doherty’s 10-year stay with Wolves suggests there is a trust and familiarity with playing in the Midlands.
And given Semedo and Doherty have both come in for criticism since their moves, perhaps a reunion could be just what Doherty needs to help silence his critics.
In other news: ‘I think’ – Wolves legend delivers verdict on potential move for 2020 summer target