Martin Boyle makes transfer decision amid Hibs hopes of activating buy back clause

Martin Boyle won't be making a sharp return to Hibs this summer as he opts to stay at relegated Saudi Arabian side Al Faisaly, according to reports.

The Australian international has endured a testing month which highlights the soaring highs and crushing lows of football. After helping his national team qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year, his club side have been demoted to Saudi First Division League, a 20-team league that begins in September, following a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal.

They needed a point to survive but lost and because of their head-to-head record against Al-Batin, they are on their way down to the second tier. Hibs have first option to buy Boyle if he returns to the UK as part of the initial £2.5 million that took him to the middle east, but that 'is not expected to come into play any time soon' according to the Daily Record.

The 29-year-old is on life-changing money and Al Faisaly want him to stay, although he could earn more interest from clubs in that region.

Boyle netted 14 times in the first half of last season for the Hibees and they didn't effectively replace them, going on to finish in the Premiership's bottom half.

Manager Lee Johnson's squad are our in Portugal for warm weather pre-season training, winning their first friendly 2-0 against Hartlepool United.