FORMER Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has no plans to leave Saudi Arabia despite his club's relegation to the second tier of the Middle Eastern nation.

The Australia internationalist joined Al Faisaly in a £2.5million deal in January after spending the previous seven years at Easter Road but was unable to keep the team in the top flight.

However, the Daily Record report that the 29-year-old has no intention of returning to the UK anytime soon.

It is believed that Hibs have the first option to buy Boyle, should the winger be open to leaving Saudi Arabia, but the £2.5m fee is likely to be out of the capital club's price range.

The Record report that Boyle wants to stay at Al Faisaly to help them return to the Saudi Pro League, while the club are also keen to retain the player. However, other Saudi sides could be tempted into making a move for the former Dundee man.

The report adds that Boyle will need to spend another 12 months in Saudi Arabia in order to gain residency - something that he is "keen to do".