Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle is closing in on a loan move to Leicester City, with the Foxes making further reinforcements to their back line.
The 19-year-old is set to join on a season-long loan with no option to buy, and looks set to partner fellow summer signing Conor Coady at the back.
Doyle spent last season on loan at Coventry City, helping them reach the Championship play-off final, following a campaign in which he helped Sunderland achieve promotion from League One.
The England under-20 international is highly rated at Man City, as they continue to monitor his development, and has earned praise during both his loan spells, with Coventry manager Mark Robins describing him as “really talented.”
A left-footed centre-back, who can also fill in at left-back, Doyle now has 100 senior appearances to his name in the Football League, and despite his young age, he will arrive at the King Power Stadium with plenty of experience under his belt as Leicester aim for promotion.
How will Doyle fit in at Leicester?
The teenager will slot straight into the left centre-back slot next to Coady, but it is unclear yet whether this will be in a back three or four, as Enzo Maresca has tended to regularly switch formations in his managerial career so far.
It remains to be seen who will be first choice, with Harry Souttar, Wout Faes, Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard still at the club, but a number of these could leave, having disappointed last season as the Foxes were relegated.
Doyle’s main strength is his defensive strength, ranking high amongst Championship and equivalent competitions for tackling, whilst his strong ability to carry the ball can prove to be useful in possession under Maresca.
If Doyle impresses and Leicester earn promotion, they may wish to keep the defender, but Man City may not want to sell one of their top youth prospects unless they receive a significant fee. Nevertheless, he could be an important player in the Championship for Leicester.