After spending four seasons out on loan from Manchester City, Callum Doyle is now keen to find a permanent home, and a return to Leicester City could be a perfect fit for both the defender and the club.
Doyle, who played a key role in Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign last season, has just completed a loan spell at Norwich City — his fourth loan after stints at Sunderland, Coventry, and Leicester. Now, the 21-year-old is eager to move on from Manchester City permanently.
“That’s the next step for me,” Doyle told the Pink Un, a publication covering Norwich. “It’s my fourth loan now, and I’ve been up and down the country. I’ve enjoyed my time here and the support from the fans has been brilliant — so we’ll see what happens over the summer.”
Doyle featured in 17 league games for Leicester last season before a knee injury halted his progress. During his absence, James Justin secured the left-back spot, limiting Doyle’s chances upon return. Still, his early-season performances, particularly under Enzo Maresca’s system where he often shifted from left-back into a back three during possession, showed his adaptability.
His 40 appearances for Norwich this season came across both left-back and centre-back roles, helping him grow into a more versatile defender. “I’ve been rotating between left-back and centre-back. It’s good for me going forward. You need that flexibility to get into the team,” Doyle said.
With uncertainty surrounding Leicester’s defensive ranks — including potential exits for Wout Faes, Caleb Okoli, Jannik Vestergaard, and Conor Coady — Doyle could be a valuable addition. His left-footedness would complement the returning Ben Nelson, and his playmaking abilities, evidenced by seven assists this season, suit Leicester’s possession-based approach.
Despite his promise, the main hurdle remains his valuation. Reports suggest Manchester City could seek up to £25 million for him, a figure Leicester may struggle to meet. Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup, before his dismissal, admitted the Canaries were likely priced out but stressed the importance of Doyle finding a long-term home to continue his development.
“He needs a stable environment for the next few years,” said Thorup. “He’s made smart choices in the past, but switching clubs every summer isn’t ideal. He still has room to grow, especially in one-on-one defending, though he’s already Premier League quality on the ball.”
Whether Leicester can meet the asking price remains to be seen, but Doyle’s desire for stability and familiarity could make a return to the King Power a move
worth pursuing.
