It looks like another Manchester City academy graduate could be on the move this summer — but not without a bit of back and forth first.
Manchester City Turn Down Hoffenheim’s Offer
German side Hoffenheim recently made a £6.5 million bid for 21-year-old centre-back Callum Doyle, hoping to snap him up after an impressive string of loan spells. But City weren’t having it.
The Premier League champions rejected the offer earlier this month, with sources suggesting the bid was slightly below the valuation they’ve set for their highly-rated defender.
Interestingly, though, that price isn’t too far off what other academy players — who never quite broke into City’s first team — have fetched in recent years.
So a deal may not be off the table just yet.
Four Loans, 158 Appearances, and Counting
Despite never making a senior appearance for City, Doyle hasn’t exactly been short on experience.
Over the last four years, he’s racked up 158 matches on loan at Sunderland, Coventry, Leicester, and most recently, Norwich City.
At Norwich last season, Doyle showed his maturity in the Championship, playing a key role in their campaign.
He’s known for being an aggressive, left-footed centre-back who’s comfortable with the ball at his feet — a profile that many modern teams are after.
European Clubs Join the Chase
It’s not just Hoffenheim circling. Italian side Udinese are also keeping close tabs on Doyle’s situation, with several other clubs across Europe and in England reportedly monitoring him as well.
The growing interest is understandable.
Young, composed defenders with top-level potential and real match experience are hard to come by — especially those trained at a club like City.
Doyle Ready for a Fresh Start
Now 21, Doyle is eager for a clean break from the loan cycle.
He wants to settle at a club permanently where he can build a long-term role for himself.
After four different loan stints, it’s clear he’s done his time and is looking for a fresh start to kick on with his career.
His move would follow in the footsteps of fellow City youngster Juma Bah, who recently made the switch to French side Nice.
What’s Next for Doyle?
With City rejecting Hoffenheim’s first approach, all eyes are on whether the Bundesliga outfit will come back with a revised offer — or if another team will swoop in.
One thing’s for sure: Callum Doyle’s next move is shaping up to be one of the more interesting stories to follow this summer.