Wolves are looking to continue building their squad for the new season – but Tommy Doyle may not welcome the club’s interest in one target.
Tommy Doyle spent last term on loan at Birmingham City last season.
After a bright start, he ended up struggling to start games, and it has been reported that he is set to return to Wolves.
There was a clause that would’ve allowed Birmingham to sign Doyle for £10 million if they’d been promoted. But in the end they finished 10th.
Some are looking forward to seeing Doyle play for Wolves again after the club dropped into the Championship – a division he obviously knows very well now.
But Wolves are targeting a player that could make life difficult for him.
Wolves’ interest in Dan Neil is not great news for Doyle
Earlier this summer it was reported that Wolves held an interest in Dan Neil who is leaving Sunderland and becoming a free agent.
The interest has been reiterated today (via Daily Echo), although a number of other clubs are in the mix to land him.
West Ham United have also been mentioned. Like Wolves, the Hammers are looking to bounce straight back up at the first time of asking.
But if Wolves do win the race for Neil, then it’ll be very interesting to see what’ll happen with Doyle.
Because the pair are very similar in terms of profile and positions played, and they’re also the same age.
Doyle may feel like this is finally his time to become a regular in the Wolves midfield, after struggling to displace the likes of Joao Gomes and Andre, and before them, Mario Lemina.
Realistically Andre will play every game, so that would only leave one more midfield spot, assuming Cesar Peixoto sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Who should Nathan Shi and Matt Jackson be looking to bring in at Wolves this summer? 🤔
Let's hear your suggestions – and they don't have to be any of the four players pictured!
Raul Jimenez, Kieran Trippier, Jordan James and Nikolas Polster are some of the early links ahead of the summer window opening…
Theoretically if Neil signed, then he and Doyle would be in direct competition with one another.
There was little to separate them last term across several metrics. As per Squawka, Neil was a more accurate shooter, long passer and aerial dueler, but Doyle was a more accurate short passer, had better success with take-ons and had higher ground duel success.
On the face of it, it would perhaps not be the most ideal news for Doyle.
But given his character he could well be up for the fight, and that may be really good news for Peixoto.
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