Burnley, Sheffield United & West Ham must react if Man City make defender exit decision | OneFootball

Burnley, Sheffield United, and West Ham United should be on alert if Manchester City sanction the exit of Max Alleyne this summer

New Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca must make a big decision regarding the future of England youth international defender Max Alleyne this summer, as FLW takes a look at three Championship clubs that ought to be on alert if he becomes available before the September 1st deadline.

Man City are entering a new era without Pep Guardiola at the helm, as former Leicester City and Chelsea boss Maresca prepares to stamp his authority at the Etihad, and will have a big decision to make on the immediate future of young centre-back Max Alleyne.

Alleyne, 21, spent the first half of last season on loan in the Championship with Watford and impressed, making 16 league appearances, prompting Guardiola to recall him in January to fill in at centre-back for the Citizens during an injury crisis.

The Englishman made the move to City in the summer of 2020 from Southampton for around £1.5 million, though with the likes of Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, and the returning Juma Bah likely ahead of him in the pecking order, he may have to go elsewhere to earn valuable minutes, as FLW takes a look at three Championship clubs that should be in for his signature this summer.

Burnley

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Burnley and Manchester City have struck up a strong relationship in recent years, with numerous players moving from the Etihad to Turf Moor, either on loan or permanently.

The likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Arijanet Muric, CJ Egan-Riley, James Trafford, and Kyle Walker have switched Sky Blue for Claret and Blue in the past few years, whilst former City captain Vincent Kompany helped guide the club back to the Premier League in 2023.

Now, following relegation back to the Championship, new Belgian boss Nicky Hayen should look to rekindle that relationship by bringing Alleyne to Turf Moor this summer.

As Hayen decides on his defensive options this summer, it would appear as though centre-back is a particular area in need of some added strength and depth, with only Bashir Humphreys, Joe Worrall, Hjalmar Ekdal, and Axel Tuanzebe as options, though whether all four will be at the club by the end of the window remains to be seen.

Alleyne could slot in on the left side of the Clarets defence, providing excellent competition for Humphreys, and capable of playing either in the middle or as a more defensively-minded left-back.

Though Burnley likely aren't struggling for funds following the sales of Loum Tchaouna, Maxime Esteve, Jaidon Anthony, and Florentino, a loan move could be a perfect deal for them, as Hayen should look to get this one over the line, as he still searches for his first new addition since arriving at the club.

Sheffield United

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Sheffield United's need for defensive reinforcements this summer is abundantly clear, especially with Chris Wilder revealing that both Nils Zatterstrom and Mark McGuinness are not a part of the club's plan moving forward.

Following the departures of Leo Hjelde, Tyler Bindon, and Ben Mee, this leaves just Japhet Tanganga and Jamal Baptiste as the Blades' only options in that area.

Links with Leicester City's Harry Souttar have been rife, though Foxes head coach Russell Martin has been open about his desire to keep the Aussie around for their League One campaign next season.

All that, especially with the loss of parachute payments, puts Sheffield United and Wilder in a tricky position, as the loan market may become an attractive proposition for them to explore once more.

Alleyne would complement Tanganga perfectly on the left side of defence at Bramall Lane, acting as a calmer and technically gifted alternative to the former Spurs player.

City will surely allow Alleyne to leave on loan this summer, as Wilder must ensure the Blades are at the front of the queue just in case, with the English youngster a player they simply cannot miss out on.

West Ham United

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West Ham United's slow start to the summer continues, as the Hammers are yet to bring any fresh faces through the doors at the London Stadium despite the appointment of new director of player recruitment, Nils Koppen.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has had to make do with what he has got during pre-season, and with less than two weeks until their first Championship match in over 14 years, additions across the board, especially in defence, are a necessity.

Axel Disasi has returned to Chelsea from his impressive loan spell, and has been linked with a return, though whether the former Monaco star will be willing to drop to the Championship remains to be seen.

Jean-Clair Todibo looks certain to move on before the end of the window, leaving just Konstantinos Mavropanos and the unfancied Max Kilman as Nuno's only options heading into their opening clash away to Burnley.

Money ought not to be an issue following the lucrative sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. Nevertheless, a loan swoop, or even a permanent one for Alleyne, should be on the cards.

The young Englishman is more than capable of stepping into the Hammers' back line immediately and providing a solid option for the Portuguese head coach.

With Mavropanos on the right side of defence and Alleyne on the left, West Ham would have a defence that would be the envy of the majority of the Championship, as the Hammers should look to get this deal over the line as soon as possible.