Man City turn down £6.5m offer from German side for academy talent | OneFootball

Man City Knock Back Hoffenheim Bid for Promising Defender

Manchester City’s conveyor belt of academy talent continues to draw continental interest, with Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim the latest club to test the waters. Their £6.5million bid for 21-year-old centre-back Callum Doyle has been rejected, according to the Daily Mail.

Doyle is an intriguing case. A left-footed centre-half, assertive in duels and technically confident, he has amassed 158 senior appearances across loan spells at Sunderland, Coventry, Leicester and Norwich. That level of exposure, across varied systems and pressure environments, has given Doyle a pedigree few academy players can match.

He now wants out. A permanent move, not another temporary stint. “Doyle wants a permanent switch this summer after spending the past four seasons at Sunderland, Coventry City, Leicester City and then Norwich,” the Daily Mail noted.

City have history here. Sales of this type — academy players without first-team breakthroughs — have typically fetched similar fees. While the £6.5million bid was rejected, “the figures are close to being in line with the price academy stars who do not go on to make first-team appearances have left for.”

With Udinese and other clubs circling, a deal looks likely. Whether City play hardball on the fee remains to be seen.

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Callum Doyle has long been a standout from the academy system. Four loan spells, each with more responsibility, and 158 games by the age of 21 — that says everything about his temperament and readiness.

What makes this situation compelling is how it reflects City’s evolved approach. Selling well is now part of the model. We’ve seen it with Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, and Sam Edozie. These players may not crack the first team at the Etihad, but they’re capable of thriving elsewhere and bringing in meaningful value.

Hoffenheim’s bid may have been low, but it suggests Doyle is on radars for a reason. For fans, there’s that familiar curiosity — could he have done a job here as a squad player? But in truth, regular football matters more for his development.

Fans will trust the club to negotiate the right deal, especially with sell-on clauses or buy-back options.