Norwich City are said to be one of a number of Championship clubs eyeing a move for young defender Callum Doyle, according to a report by BBC Sport.
New head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has shifted the club’s transfer strategy this summer, as he aims to lower the squad’s average age. That model is one that the Danish manager is used to, having followed a similar one during his 18-month stint at his previous club Nordsjaelland.
The defence is one of the areas where that changing strategy has already started happening. Ben Gibson was let go at the end of his contract this summer and has effectively been directly replaced by a player eight years younger. However, a left-back is also needed and a versatile left-sided defender who can play either the full-back role or centre-half position could be exactly what is needed.
Therefore, The Canaries are interested in bringing youngster Callum Doyle to the club. Having come through the Manchester City academy, the 20-year-old has now got a wealth of experience in the Championship following two loan moves into the division.
The first of those two deals was with Coventry City, helping get them to the play-off final before they lost on penalties to Luton Town. Last year then saw the England U-21 international make 17 appearances in the second tier for eventual title winners Leicester City.
Currently valued at £13 Million according to Transfermarkt, the report suggests that Doyle could see himself moving on another short-term basis. As much as Norwich now wish to progress their own young players, loan deals to provide squad depth could still be pivotal if they hope to improve on last season’s failed play-off campaign.
With less than a month to go until the season starts, sporting director Ben Knapper will want to move quickly if a deal is indeed to happen.
Writer’s View
Doyle had a standout season with Coventry but failed to make a major impact with The Foxes last season. However, his age profile and defensive versatility seem like they would be a perfect fit for a club undergoing a partial revamp.
Although, if this was to be a loan move, then the age profile would be less important to the club unless they included a buy-clause, in a similar vein to the one Southampton had with City for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
If that were to be the case, then this deal would be a no-brainer for the Norfolk outfit.
