Manchester City open contract talks for 20-year-old defender – Other name available for £10 million | OneFootball

Two Manchester City defenders are at a crossroads in their careers this summer, although one player still firmly has eyes fixated on Pep Guardiola’s first-team.

The latest developments underline a growing divergence in strategy for Manchester City’s youth prospects, with some players continuing to pursue their dream of breaking into Pep Guardiola’s squad, while others prepare to move on in search of regular senior football.

It comes amid a wider summer of change at the Etihad Stadium, especially within the club’s elite development setup, following a season of success at both Under-21 and Under-18 levels across competitions.

Max Alleyne, who turned 20 this year, is a player City view as having the potential to eventually contribute at senior level. Having featured regularly in first-team training sessions over recent months, the former Southampton academy talent has been steadily gaining the trust of staff. A commanding central defender with composure on the ball and strong aerial presence, Alleyne played a key role in City’s Premier League 2 title win last season.

In contrast, Callum Doyle’s pathway appears to take him away from the club permanently. After loan spells across the Championship, the 20-year-old has racked up over 100 appearances, and despite his strong CV and impressive experience for a player his age, the club have now concluded that a breakthrough under Guardiola is unlikely, and are prepared to sell.

According to The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Max Alleyne is currently in talks with the club over extending his contract at Manchester City – with two years remaining on the professional deal he signed in 2022 – before heading out on his first senior loan move of his career.

Having trained with Pep Guardiola’s first-team for an extended period of time over recent months, the report details that earning a spot in the first-team squad is an ambition for the 20-year-old next year.

Elsewhere, and after four consecutive loan spells away from the Etihad Stadium in the English Football League, Callum Doyle is reportedly available on a permanent deal this summer despite still having two years left on his current contract.

It is explained that both the player and Manchester City have agreed now is the time for him to find a place to settle with no route to Pep Guardiola’s first team, with Etihad officials eyeing up to £10 million for his services.

With more than 100 games under his belt across spells with Sunderland, Coventry City, Leicester City and Norwich City, Bundesliga club Hoffenheim were the first to make an approach earlier this summer but had a bid rejected.

Manchester City will likely look to find the right environment for Alleyne to begin his loan career, with the City Football Group offering a number of routes into senior football, including Girona, Troyes, and Palermo. There is also likely to be interest from the Championship, and a loan to the EFL remains a strong possibility given its physical demands.

As for Doyle, clubs in Germany and England continue to monitor his situation. While Hoffenheim’s initial approach fell short of City’s valuation, interest is expected to intensify as the transfer window progresses, particularly from teams seeking a reliable left-footed centre-back.

This double development follows news that 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, another standout from the 2024/25 academy, is also attracting serious interest with Strasbourg and Celtic having reportedly submitted offers for a loan or permanent move.