An update has emerged about Manchester City defender Callum Doyle, regarding Sunderland's interest in his services.
What's the talk?
According to Roker Report, Sunderland are in talks over a deal to sign Manchester City centre-back Callum Doyle on a two-year loan.
The report claims that the Black Cats are poised to bring him in to bolster Lee Johnson's centre-back options, with a two-year loan being proposed instead of the standard season-long arrangement.
Johnson will be delighted
Johnson will be delighted by this deal as he will seemingly finally be able to welcome in a new addition at centre-back this summer.
He currently has two fit first-team centre-back options and only one of them, Bailey Wright, started more than 15 games in League One last season for the club.
All four of the central defenders Sunderland employ have 12 months remaining on their respective contracts, which could become an issue heading into the 2022/23 campaign as Johnson plans for the future.
Therefore, bringing in a talented defender on loan for two years could be perfect for Johnson. It will allow him and Kristjaan Speakman more time to find a permanent solution to the centre-back problem, whilst hopefully bolstering the team with an exciting signing in the short-term. This is why the ex-Bristol City boss will be buzzing with this latest update.
Manchester City's official website names Doyle as a “brave and cultured” centre-back. This suggests that he has the ability to play out from the back whilst not shirking away from putting his body on the line defensively to keep the ball from going in the net.
Earlier this year, MEN journalist Daniel Murphy compared Doyle to Portuguese international Ruben Dias, who was crowned Premier League Player of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign.