2 perfect Callum Doyle replacements Norwich City must try sign as new Thorup revelation emerges | OneFootball

FLW take a look at two Callum Doyle alternatives that Norwich City can sign next season.

A permanent return to Norwich City in the summer seems unlikely for Callum Doyle with his price tag likely to prove a real barrier for Johannes Hoff Thorup's side.

The defender has impressed on his fourth temporary loan spell away from Manchester City, becoming a mainstay in the Canaries side. A naturally adept left-footed centre-back, he is the dream for any Championship manager, but according to Thorup the club will struggle to source a permanent deal for his services.

"There's a price tag that is probably a little bit too difficult for us," Thorup told Pink Un. "I hope, without being his agent or supervisor or anything like that, that his next step is a club where he will be for two, three or four years.

"I don't think it's ideal for a young player to change clubs every season. He's tried to be clever about his decisions and find clubs where they're a little bit similar in how they play the game, so it's not too different."

Speaking about whether Norwich would have a chance, the Dane added: "If the price tag was realistic for us, then I hope that will be here."

With the head coach ruling out the possibility of signing Doyle, it seems likely they will need to look for a new centre-back in the summer.

With that in mind, Football League World has identified two ideal replacements for the Manchester City defender.

Ayden Heaven

Ayden Heaven made the difficult decision to swap Arsenal for Manchester United in the winter transfer window, and he has since found a pathway into the first-team setup at Old Trafford.

Featuring in four games so far, he has made a strong impression on those around the club. Despite a recent injury setback, he could be an ideal loan addition for the Canaries next season.

Given that he is only 18 years old, it would be unrealistic to expect him to play a major role in United’s senior squad next season. A loan move to Norwich would offer him the perfect opportunity to gain experience and continue his development in a competitive environment.

A left-footed centre-back, Heaven initially developed as a midfielder in the academy, which has given him a strong foundation in passing - an essential skill for modern defenders playing out from the back.

Beyond his composure on the ball, he is a fearless, hard-tackling defender despite his young age. In his two Premier League appearances so far, he has won 100% of his tackles, averaging 2.81 successful tackles per game. His defensive dominance is further highlighted by his 8.44 duels per 90 minutes, with an impressive success rate of 69.2%, according to FotMob.

This defensive resilience is something Callum Doyle arguably lacks, and Heaven’s presence at the back could make Norwich a more solid unit.

While it remains uncertain whether Manchester United will make Heaven available for loan, there is no immediate rush for them to fast-track his development. With that in mind, Johannes Hoff Thorup should consider making an approach to secure another top-quality prospect from a Manchester club.

Ethan Pye

Having identified a strong loan option for Norwich, we now turn our attention to a potential permanent signing.

Ethan Pye has emerged as one of the standout central defenders in League One this season, playing a key role in Stockport County’s successful transition from League Two.

The 22-year-old has accumulated an impressive 3,329 minutes of game time this campaign and, like Callum Doyle, is a naturally left-footed centre-back. His 1,677 successful passes place him in the top four percent of central defenders, highlighting his composure and ability to play out from the back. Additionally, he excels in crucial defensive metrics such as interceptions, recoveries, and duels won.

While the Hatters could find themselves in the same division as Norwich next season, Pye would likely view a move to Carrow Road as a step-up and a chance to push towards Premier League football.

Having signed a new contract last summer, he won’t come cheap, but Norwich majority owner Mark Attanasio should have the financial resources to make a deal happen.

At 22, Pye represents both a strong immediate option and a long-term investment for the club, making him an ideal permanent replacement for Doyle.