Former Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe is set to join Russian Premier League side Alaniya Vladikavkaz, according to Sovetskii Sport.

Drenthe, 25, has been a free agent since his deal at Santiago Bernabeu expired in June and has since been linked with a number of clubs all over Europe.

Russian newspaper Sovetsky Sport claims that the Dutchman is now nearing a switch to Russian Premier League strugglers Alaniya.

The club from Vladikavkaz are currently five points adrift of safety and could really use someone of Drenthe’s quality and experience to kick-start this season.

Drenthe has shown a lot of potential during his career, but off-the-pitch problems prevented the player from giving his best.

That is probably the main reason why there have been no clubs willing to take a gamble who last played a competitive game in April.

His high wage demands might have been another major issue as well.