Derby County, Sheffield United, and Wrexham should plot Tommy Doyle moves after Birmingham City revelation | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three clubs that could sign Tommy Doyle from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer

Tommy Doyle will likely be playing Championship football next season, but at which club at this stage is anybody's guess following the latest news coming out of Birmingham City.

Birmingham look likely to be playing second-tier football once again next season, after their dreams of a top six finish have all but evaporated following a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to play-off contenders Derby County last time out.

In what can only be described as a season full of frustration, the Blues have had as good a chance as anyone to break into the upper echelons of the table, but inconsistent displays have seen their chances fade.

Their away record, in particular, has been especially poor, with the 19th-worst record away from home in the division this season, with a clear area of improvement needing to be addressed next campaign.

This summer saw a big turnover at St Andrews, with numerous additions made, such as Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch for multi-million-pound fees, Demarai Gray and Phil Neumann on free transfers, and James Beadle and Tommy Doyle on loan.

In the case of Doyle, a £10 million obligation to buy would be triggered if Blues were promoted this season, though with that looking increasingly unlikely, he looks set to return to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.

Wolves themselves look likely to join Birmingham in the second tier next season, though, with it unclear whether Doyle will be in Rob Edwards' plans at Molineux, FLW has taken a look at three clubs that could potentially look to sign the former Manchester City midfielder this summer.

Derby County

Derby County could well be one of the sides to break into the top six this season, with the Rams mounting a serious play-off push under the guidance of former Birmingham boss John Eustace.

Eustace oversaw a big overhaul at Pride Park this summer, bringing in 13 new additions to the squad, including Lewis Travis, Patrick Agyemang, and Rhian Brewster, to name a few.

Along with Travis in the midfield recruitments, Bobby Clark joined on loan from RB Salzburg, whilst David Ozoh joined on loan from Crystal Palace for the second season running, with both having a positive impact when on the pitch.

Though with no guarantees over their long-term future at the club, a new midfielder or two may be required in the summer, and Doyle could fit the bill.

With Travis doing the dirty work, Doyle's excellent technical ability in terms of passing range and dead-ball scenarios could complement the former Blackburn Rovers captain well.

Whether Wolves are willing to part ways with the man they paid £4.3 million for in the summer of 2024 remains to be seen, though Derby should be one of the frontrunners in the queue over a potential deal this summer.

Sheffield United

A player Sheffield United supporters will be familiar with, Doyle spent the 2022/23 season on loan with the Blades, where he made 33 appearances in the Championship for the club, scoring three and assisting four from midfield.

It's been a turbulent campaign in South Yorkshire, with Sheffield United looking increasingly likely to be playing their football in the second tier next year, despite relegation looking like a real possibility at one stage.

With Sydie Peck attracting interest from numerous Premier League sides, Djibril Soumare and Kalvin Phillips only on loan, Jairo Riedewald out of contract at the end of the campaign, Ollie Arblaster struggling with injuries, Alex Matos unfavoured, and Joe Rothwell yet to make an impact, it's clear that midfield is an area that needs addressing at Bramall Lane in the transfer window.

Should Peck indeed go, Sheffield United would likely collect a healthy fee for the youngster, which could be reinvested in a permanent deal for Doyle should a loan agreement not be possible.

With the player and club already having a relationship, a reunion this summer could be on the cards, and Chris Wilder should do what he can to make it happen.

Wrexham

Wrexham, like Derby, have real ambitions of achieving Premier League football as early as possible, with the Welsh outfit looking to make it four consecutive promotions on the spin this season.

Phil Parkinson, despite being backed heavily in the transfer window, has done an immense job in taking Wrexham from the depths of the National League to the brink of the top flight, and further upgrades in the transfer window will need to be made in the summer, regardless of what division they are playing in next year.

George Dobson, Matty James, and Oliver Rathbone have all come through the divisions with the club and been fine servants, though they will need to be upgraded eventually, whilst Ben Sheaf and Lewis O'Brien were brought to the club over the summer for multi-million-pound fees.

Doyle would present a significant upgrade on a few of their options and add a different dimension to the Red Dragon's midfield, as the Welsh outfit should be tracking his situation closely ahead of a potential summer move, with the club almost certainly having the money to get a deal over the line.