Tottenham star Matt Doherty agrees shock Atletico Madrid loan transfer – but Diego Simeone has no idea who he is

MATT DOHERTY is on the verge of signing for Atletico Madrid on loan - although manager Diego Simeone supposedly has no idea about it.

The Irish international has managed just nine starts this season, with Emerson Royal Antonio Conte's favoured right wing-back.

And Doherty, 31, faces the prospect of even more time on the bench as Spurs close in on a deal for Pedro Porro.

As a result, it has opened the door for the defender to leave.

According to , Doherty has agreed a move to Atletico after advanced talks between the two clubs.

The Spanish side are set to lose Brazilian right-back Felipe, 33, to Nottingham Forest and see Doherty as the ideal replacement.

But bizarrely, Spanish media say Atletico boss Someone does not even know Doherty and is in the dark about the entire deal.

There is a good relationship between the two sides following the transfer of Kieran Trippier, 32, and this has facilitated a move at boardroom level.

Doherty arrived at Tottenham in 2020 from Wolves, and was soon joined by ex-boss Nuno Espírito Santo.

But he has always faced competition in North London, first with Serge Aurier, 30, and then Emerson, 24.

And now Spurs are edging closer to confirming a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Porro, 23.

He was on the verge of undergoing a medical with Tottenham thrashing out a £45million package.

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But Lisbon put brakes on the transfer after believing they deserved more from the deal.

Spurs will now give up their rights to a percentage of a future sale of former academy graduate Marcus Edwards.

Antonio Conte’s side were due 50 per cent on any future sale by Lisbon but have now climbed down to 35 per cent to get Porro over the line.

As a result, Spurs have rescheduled his medical for tomorrow ahead of signing him before the 11pm deadline.