Manchester City has revealed their first piece of transfer activity as they prepare for the upcoming summer window. Regardless of whether they secure a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, the team plans to make adjustments to their squad in the summer. The reigning treble champions have recently been connected to players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta.
Young midfielder Tommy Doyle has officially joined Wolves on a permanent basis after an impressive loan spell this season. Doyle made 30 appearances for the Molineux club following his temporary move, which coincided with Matheus Nunes joining Manchester City.
Wolves exercised their option to buy Doyle, with The Athletic reporting that they will pay Manchester City £4.3 million for the transfer. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Wolves, with an option to extend for an additional two years.
However, the deal will not be official until July 1 and so Doyle is still ineligible to play against boyhood club City in this Saturday’s evening kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.
The England Under 21 international, whose grandads Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe both played for City, will end a 14-year association with the club.
After coming through the ranks, he made just one appearance in the Premier League for City.
He buys into who we are as a club and what we’re trying to create culturally within the group,” Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said.
“He’s a great player to have for what we’re trying to achieve off the pitch and he gives us so much on the pitch, so he’s the exact type of player I think Wolves should be signing.
“If you look at the type of players we like to sign as a football club, they generally haven’t reached their ceiling yet and have loads more to come.
Tommy is a fraction of the player he will become, with the more he gets used to the league and the greater his understanding gets. I’m really excited for now but also his future at Wolves.”
City inserted a 50% sell-on clause in the deal, while they also agreed a buy-back option.
There is now a more ‘regimented’ system for spots for players based on their status and longevity at the club.
“Everybody has their own numbered bay these days and the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku are further away from the entrance than those who have been with the club throughout the successes under Guardiola,” read the report.