Michael Doyle could become a transfer target for Norwich City should Darel Russell arrive at Leeds United during the close season. Canaries midfielder Russell is out of contract this summer after completing his second spell at Carrow Road.

Michael Doyle could become a transfer target for Norwich City should Darel Russell arrive at Leeds United during the close season.

Canaries midfielder Russell is out of contract this summer after completing his second spell at Carrow Road.

And although a new deal is on the table from manager Paul Lambert, it is understood United have offered the 29-year-old better terms to move up to Yorkshire.

That could have implications for Republic of Ireland international midfielder Doyle, who spent last season on loan at Elland Road from Championship side Coventry City.

Doyle, 28, had hoped to secure a full-time move to United after Simon Grayson's squad secured their Championship return alongside Norwich at the third time of asking.

However, should the Leeds boss pull off a relative coup in bringing in Russell, Doyle may be left to look elsewhere for a move with the vacancy left by Russell at Carrow Road one possible destination. Coventry chairman Ray Ranson has stated he expects Doyle to move on in the summer, despite a new man in former Colchester United manager Aidy Boothroyd having taken over at the Ricoh Arena earlier in the summer.

Ranson also stated several clubs, as well as Leeds, have expressed an interest in the midfielder.

“It looks like we're probably losing Michael Doyle, he's got 12 months left but there's a few clubs interested in him because he did very well at Leeds last year,” said the Coventry chairman.

Should a move to Leeds fall through it would be bitterly disappointing for Doyle, who spoke at the end of the last campaign about his hopes for carrying on where he left off at Elland Road beyond his season-long loan spell.

“It's up to Leeds to do what they think best but they know where I stand,” said Doyle at the end of last season. I want to stay. The club's phenomenal. There are Leeds fans everywhere and hundreds of them in Ireland. My mum and dad are forever getting knocks on their door. No disrespect but it wasn't like that when I was at Coventry. I've never achieved anything like this in senior football and I'll treasure it for a long time.”

Lambert is still waiting on a decision from Russell over his future but has already swooped to boost his midfield ranks ahead of the new season, with Wales international Andrew Crofts joining from Brighton and playmaker David Fox making a switch from Colchester.

However, it is unclear whether Matty Gill and Owain Tudur Jones - both of whom struggled to feature for Lambert's League One champions last season - are surplus to requirements, while the City boss is determined to boost his squad further as he prepares for life in the Championship. A swoop for Cardiff City midfielder Solomon Taiwo seemed certain, until the move apparently collapsed at an advanced stage.