Sheffield United have one clear Tommy Doyle advantage in Sunderland, Wrexham transfer race | OneFootball

Sheffield United could have the upper hand in the race for Tommy Doyle, thanks to his previous loan spell at the club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Tommy Doyle has a few potential suitors this summer, including the likes of Sunderland, Wrexham, and former loan club Sheffield United.

A product of the Manchester City academy, Doyle enjoyed a strong loan spell with the Blades in their promotion-winning season in 2022-23, before joining up with Wolves on loan the following summer.

Now a permanent player at the Midlands club, the midfielder has struggled to have much of an impact during his two seasons at the club so far, which has seen him fall out of favour under Vitor Pereira.

With plenty of changes expected over the summer at Molineux to give the Portuguese manager the best chance of meeting targets again next season, Doyle is one of the players who is on the chopping block in the transfer window.

Sheffield United, Sunderland and Wrexham all hold interest in signing the 23-year-old, according to reports, but the Blades could hold the upper hand in this transfer battle due to his previous spell at the club.

Tommy Doyle linked away from Wolves after falling out of favour

Doyle was once one of the most exciting up-and-coming midfielders in England, but his upwards trajectory has somewhat petered out over the last couple of seasons, having struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Doyle joined the Midlands-based outfit permanently last summer, after Wolves triggered an option to buy him after a loan spell in 2023-24. He reportedly cost the Premier League side £4.3m to bring to the club.

With talented midfielders such as Joao Gomes and Andre on the books at Wolves, the Englishman has struggled for minutes since the turn of the year, starting just one Premier League game under Pereira.

Now, with the Portuguese boss clearly not seeing the 23-year-old as part of his plans, reports have emerged that Sheffield United, Sunderland and Wrexham are all keen to sign Doyle this summer.

Sheffield United could have key advantage in Doyle transfer race

Before his move to Wolves, where his career has somewhat stagnated in recent months, Doyle enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with the Yorkshire side in their promotion season in 2022/23.

The Man City loanee featured 38 times for the Blades in all competitions, scoring four goals and assisting a further seven. He also scored the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers in an FA Cup quarter-final tie to send United to Wembley, which was voted as the club's Goal of the Season.

Adapting to the Premier League has clearly been a struggle for Doyle based on the last two seasons at Molineux, and a move back to the Championship could do him the world of good, especially in an environment he already knows and has succeeded in.

For that reason, Sheffield United could have the upper hand on their rivals in any potential transfer for Doyle, as both look to bounce back from disappointing ends to last season.

A return to Bramall Lane could be a tempting move for the 23-year-old, who will be keen to get regular minutes next season.