Norwich City are closing in on the loan signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle but will be forced to wait to complete a deal, according to the latest reports.
The Canaries haven’t done much business this summer in the way of arrivals but did manage to bring Jose Cordoba to the club from Levski Sofia for a reported £3 million following his participation at the Copa America. The Panamanian centre-half was named the Best Defender in the Bulgarian top-flight for 2023 and comes to the club after the departures of both Ben Gibson and Danny Batth.
Cordoba is left-footed but can comfortably play on the right side of a defensive partnership as well as in a back three which offers new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup some tactical flexibility with his choice of formation. Nevertheless, the Dane is still hoping to bolster his starting lineup further by adding a partner for Cordoba in the heart of the defence.
BBC Sport revealed earlier this week that Norwich City had agreed a deal with Premier League champions Man City to take Doyle on a season-long loan. The report states that there is no option-to-buy clause inserted in this agreement but that the Norfolk-based side will pay an undisclosed loan fee.
However, BBC journalist Nick Mashiter has added an update to this saga, stating that the Championship side will be forced to wait at least a few weeks to sign him as the central defender is heading to the United States of America as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad for pre-season.
Doyle has an incredible record in the EFL. He spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light and was instrumental in Sunderland‘s promotion to the second tier before joining Coventry City the following season. This time, he helped the Sky Blues reach the play-off final and the cusp of promotion to the Premier League before Mark Robins’ men suffered a defeat to Luton Town on penalties.
Finally, Doyle moved to Leicester City at the start of the 2023/24 campaign and, injuries aside, was a mainstay in Enzo Maresca’s backline as the Foxes finished top of the table and returned to the promised land. As a result, his market value rocketed to £12.6 million, but instead of trying his hand in the top tier of English football, it looks as though Doyle is heading for Carrow Road.
Writer’s View
This would be an unbelievable signing for Norwich City. Doyle would comfortably be one of, if not the best centre-back in the Championship and has now proven he is good enough to play in the Premier League.
Regardless, Man City seem keen to keep hold of him, hence why they are sending him back out on loan for the third time, preferably to a team they won’t be competing with next season. Doyle is clearly a good omen for promotion which will certainly excite Canaries supporters.
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