Manchester City centre-back ‘actively wanting’ permanent exit from Etihad Stadium this summer | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium officials have been hit with an early demand from one of their central defenders over an exit from Manchester City during the upcoming summer market.

Recruitment bosses and those in decision-making positions are expected to reshuffle Pep Guardiola’s squad options this summer through high-profile exits and big-money arrivals during the market.

Kevin De Bruyne has become the first major casualty in that reassessment of the squad following a difficult season, with City opting to not renew the Belgian’s agreement beyond the end of the ongoing campaign thus allowing him to leave for free this summer.

Given the scale of the potential rebuild and the investment required in a number of key positions, it is likely that Manchester City will have to secure sales for price tags from their squad and among those could feature stars on the fringes of Guardiola’s vision.

That includes players who have also been excelling in Europe and closer to home over the course of the last 12 months and potentially longer, with a new report pointing towards one of the club’s highest-rated defensive talents.

That is according to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, who reveals that on-loan Manchester City defender Callum Doyle is now ‘actively wanting’ a permanent transfer away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Having experienced successful loan spells away from the club at Norwich City, Leicester City, Coventry City, and Sunderland, the 21-year-old is now wanting to settle into a new permanent home with the report points towards possible Premier League and Championship suitors.

Much will likely depend on Manchester City’s asking price for the impressive and versatile defender, and at present there is no indication as to how much Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain could demand for his services.

Doyle was among a number of names to have impressed hugely during Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States last summer, operating at both central defence and at left-back under Pep Guardiola.

“It’s everyone’s dream [to work with Pep Guardiola],” Doyle said while out on tour with the club. “He’s amazing, I’ll just take what he gives. It’ll be great working with very good players again.”

The England youth international continued at the time, “Learning from them, gaining their experience, using it in my game. It will be great and great to see the lads.

“With what I had last season [at Leicester], working with different range of players and knowing what they’re like in game – I think it just goes off feel. There are great players here I’d like to work with, so I’d just like to see [where I’m at].”