West Brom should launch Man City offer if Tobjorn Heggem leaves | OneFootball

Callum Doyle excelled on loan at Norwich City in the Championship last season

Tobjørn Heggem was a standout player for West Bromwich Albion last season. 12 months on from his arrival at The Hawthorns from Brommapojkarna, he may be on the move again.

Heggem has been linked with a move to Serie A side Bologna, who won the Coppa Italia and finished fifth in the Italian top flight last season.

Knowing their growing stance in the European game, and in a bid to keep their best players, the Baggies knocked back an opening bid of €6.5 million, per the report from The Athletic, with the Express and Star stating that negotiations are continuing for a deal in the region of £10 million.

The 26-year-old Norwegian international played in all but one of West Brom's games last season and was a big part of the team that kept 14 clean sheets during the campaign.

But if an eight-figure offer comes in, it may prove difficult to turn down. If they do, then perhaps a move for Manchester City's Callum Doyle could be made to soften the blow of losing a key member of the side.

Callum Doyle continues breakout progress in the 2024/25 season

Doyle has spent each of the past three seasons on loan at Championship clubs, but it was last year at Norwich City where he established himself as a solid operator in the second tier.

The 21-year-old contributed massively at times to the attack, which scored the second-most in the Championship in 2024/25.

Only Junior Firpo managed more assists from a defensive position (10) than Doyle's seven. The 21-year-old was in the top 5% of Championship centre-backs for successful passes, accurate long balls, touches and successful dribbles, too, per Fotmob.

If new West Brom boss Ryan Mason wants to play with ball-players in his backline, then Doyle wouldn't struggle to play in that system.

Doyle can play either as a true left-back or as a left-sided centre-back, and those left-footed defenders are well sought after in the game. If Heggem were to leave the club this summer, then the City defender should be able to slot into the position he left behind.

Callum Doyle may be available for purchase this summer

After four straight years on loan from The Etihad Stadium, Doyle, who turns 22 this October, has arguably seen the door close on a successful career at Manchester City.

The 21-year-old is under contract until 2027, and the club have the option to extend that by a year, but given the quality of players Pep Guardiola has in his position, it's tough to see Doyle really having a future in Manchester.

Therefore, there's a high possibility that the Englishman finds himself the subject of permanent transfer talk this summer, especially if a side like West Brom finds themselves in need of a left-sided centre-back.

Doyle is a premier Championship talent, having been part of the Coventry City side that made the play-off final in 2022/23 and the Leicester City side that won the league the year after.

The City youngster has nearly 100 second-tier appearances under his belt, and wouldn't need time adjusting to a division which Ryan Mason and co will have aspirations of challenging near the top six of.

Heggem departing the club would be a huge blow, but if the Baggies can recoup £10 million for his services, it may loosen the demand to free up funds with sales elsewhere.

Then, if the Baggies can bring Doyle in on a cut-deal, there's all the potential there to explode in a new, permanent setting, and become the player that many who come through the Manchester City academy are touted to be.